SB Nation User Blog: Mr. Philosophical

Ten Years in the desert.

Mr. Philosophical — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:04:46 -0000

I don't have much to say about it, because I'm currently crippled by the common cold, but here's the logo of the sleeve patch.

http://inorpo-b.mirror.waffleimages.com/files/50/50900ad4be0f92bfb5fd4cae8681516f4d6e5699.jpg

I will rant later.

Also, fangs are added to the work mark of the official logo. Minor tweaks

http://img.waffleimages.com/72a809284bbbc0c5d3187298ed37454bc7da7afb/arilogo.jpg

Manager of the Year

Mr. Philosophical — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:28:27 -0000

There was a diary about giving BoMel credit for the recent D-Backs success. Well it's that time of the year to predict who will win all these awards, and one of them is Manager of the Year Award And in this Foxsports.com news report, it's stated that Bob Melvin of our Diamondbacks is headlining the award.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7157308?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

Surprising he is first in the polls of probably the casual fans. But truthfully, does he really deserve the award?

D-Backs claim A's Mr. Kennedy.... Kennedy...

Mr. Philosophical — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:52:27 -0000

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/94510?source=rss&dest=STY-94510

"Kennedy, 28, is 3-9 with a 4.37 ERA (49 ER in 101.0 IP) over 27 games (16 starts) with the A's. He is 42-61 with a 4.75 ERA (474 ER in 899.0 IP) in 210 career games (139 starts) in parts of seven Major League seasons.

Kennedy is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA (1 ER in 7.0 IP) in his last 6 games (all relief). He posted a 2.31 ERA (9 ER in 35.0 IP) in 39 relief outings in 2006 and is 7-4 with a 3.16 ERA (28 ER in 79.2 IP) over 71 career relief appearances."

Hmm... Probably to add more to the bullpen? I don't know. I mean, we may call down Ownings since we got Kim to start for us again. I wonder who we will drop from the 40 man roster for Kennedy.

2007; to the future: Closers

Mr. Philosophical — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 23:38:58 -0000

Sorry about crashing your 2007 diaries Jim, but we have a huge hole in our bullpen. Yes, in the start, our bullpen was phenomenal. But, after that great start we had into the summer, our bullpen collapsed, along with the whole team. Now, when we were still in contention in early September where we had those big 7th, 8th, 9th inning wins... we lost, because of the holes in our pitching. Our starting rotation is decent, we just need one more 14 win starter to help us with a 3.50 ERA. Now getting back on track, the hole in our bullpen is the closer position.

We traded El Duque for Jorge Julio from the Mets after the start of the Diamondbacks' free fall. We gained some depth in our pitching staff, but he didn't last too long, as he blew saves after saves like Valverde. As much as we love to say Jorge Juuuuuuuuuuuuliiiiiiiiioooooooooooo and Papa Grande, we have to fix the hole before we have a closing committee. Now, what the Diamondbacks need is a person who Repertoire is better than two pitches. We do not need a fastball specialist like Valverde, because those mighty walkoff hits that killed our chances at the NL West Championship. We need a guy who understands pressure, understand those times where the bases are juiced, and we need an out. Well, I'm not much of a stat guy, more of a potential guy. I'll leave the stats to Jim. But here are the options that the D-backs have:

* Trade Estrada: This is a no brainer, we have three potential catchers that could do the job as well as Estrada. Synder has had a great year, even though he was a backup, but hey, any type of player hitting better than .220 is a huge improvement. Montero is probably going to the minor leagues, but is a good insurance plan with is potential, but he is still young. It seems like our new policy is not to rush these young players. Robby Hammock might make his comeback next year as backup, even though we haven't seen him since last year. But I do think that he will be backup for Synder. And it will be good to have him as utility role because the multiple position he plays. That will make having all our starters have a rest better because we have all our backups. Trade Estrada for a starting pitcher or a reliever that could handle the job.

Potential Candidates:
San Francisco: But who do we want from that pitching staff. They won't hand us their rookies or their well trained prospects. Hmm, who is there. No one I think that will make a big contribution to our staff, but Armando Benitez. He is risky, I would want someone else relieving the 9th inning than him.

San Diego Padres: Yes, the Padres have the 3rd best bullpen in the National League. But they already have Piazza in the backfield. He has done a fair job with the Padres and I don't think they would trade for Estrada. But I think that Scott Linebrink would be a great addition for our team. But Like I said, would they want Estrada even though Piazza had a good year with them. But Piazza does have a one year deal with the Pods...

Cincinnati Reds: They also have a new look, and next year, it seems like they look like a playoff team. They do need a Catcher. And they added alot of firepower to their pitching staff. I would say trade Estrada to the Reds for Todd Coffey but it looks like they want to keep him for a while because of what he could do. But when we faced Coffey, we crushed him. He looks like someone we could rely on. Eddie Guardado is another guy we should look at, but he looks risky.

* We could sign these risky guys that was exceptional closers:

Joe Borowski, He is a great closer for the Florida Marlins. Although the Marlins may resign him, there is a chance that we can get him. He has a 3.92 era, 36 saves, a 1.41 WHIP.

Dan Kolb, He had a great 2004 season with the Milwaukee Brewers with 39 saves, 5 blown saves, a 2.96 era. But after that year, when he was with Braves, he was so awful, he went back to the Brewers. He is a free agent, and we should sign him short-term.

Octavio Dotel, A great setup man with the A's, but he was never tested by the Yankees as a closer because of his injury. If he didn't succeed in closer for our team, we can use him for SU.

Mike Timlin, A seasoned veteran who should do well in the National League. This year, he hasn't been doing well this year with a 4.02 ERA, with a 1.44 WHIP. But hey, we need some of that veteran influence in our bullpen. I know he wasn't a closer because of Keith Foulke, but we can give it a try.

* Have one of our guys be closer. Have a Closer battle at ST:

Valverde, a decent closer in the beginning of the season, but turn devious because of his love of the high power fastball. That ball will be crushed. We can't have that.

Lyon, the great closer that had what, 14/15 save attempts in 2005. A good year he should have had, but an injury removed him from that part. And now he is on the hot seat because of all those blown leads by him and Vizcaino.

Medders, I said Medders in Jim's 2nd part of the "fill in the blanks" diary. I said Medders because we haven't tried him, but it looks like he will be great. This year he has a 3.75 ERA, and has a WHIP of 1.44. But the thing is with him is that he is the mopup guy! Give this guy a chance. He might win it. I remember seeing in gameday the pressure on him in a tied situation. Have him pitch as closer. I know my reasons don't make sense, but give this guy a chance.

LEAK! new logo leaked

Mr. Philosophical — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 20:20:02 -0000

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/vinsanity59/AD2007.jpg

Hard to see, a guy from boards.ign.com has found a leak to the new Arizona Diamondbacks logo. It looks worse than before. I mean they should have stucked with the old text and the old snake head. Ugh! THe DB is alright, but the colors should have been replaced more elsewhere.

Johnny Estrada May want out

Mr. Philosophical — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 18:17:01 -0000

Estrada wouldn't mind trade to Bay
By Andrew Baggarly, STAFF WRITER

PHOENIX -- Johnny Estrada received his Oakland Raiders season tickets in the mail this week.

"I can't wait, man," said the Diamondbacks catcher, a Hayward native. "I'm a few rows above the Black Hole, but I might have to get different seats next year. It'd be nice to see the game without standing up."

Estrada's friends and family are contemplating another kind of move -- one that could bring him closer to home. He's heard more than once that the Giants probably need a catcher for next season given Mike Matheny's uncertain status with post-concussion syndrome.

"I grew up a die-hard Oakland A's fan, but I could deal with playing in San Francisco," Estrada said, smiling.

Of course, it's rare for teams to trade within their own division. The Colorado Rockies long coveted former Giants backup Yorvit Torrealba but acquired him only after he was traded to Seattle.

It's just as rare for players to admit the grass could be greener with a division opponent, but Estrada is frustrated that the Diamondbacks signed him to a one-year contract. He is eligible for salary arbitration after this season, and the switch hitter should receive a nice salary bump, as his 57 RBIs lead NL catchers.

Estrada returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing a game with stomach pains. He saw a specialist who believes he might have an ulcer. He is taking medicine, trying to quit his pot of coffee-a-day habit and looking for ways to lower his stress level.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_4160648
___

This isn't such a devastating blow if he does get traded because Synder is showing great improvement during his starts as Catcher.

Livan Hernandez

Mr. Philosophical — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:13:24 -0000

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5852074?FSO2&ATT=MA

We acquire Livan Hernandez from the Washington Nationals for TWO Minor Leaguers, Matt Chico and Garrett Mock

Hmm, I don't know about this trade because last time I heard about Chico, he was hitting well. And Garrett Mock was struggling this year. I will post stats later.

Some thoughts on this trade?

Time To let Bygones be Bygones

Mr. Philosophical — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 02:10:35 -0000

Here, we start a new chapter in the 2006 MLB Season. We have to support our team to the fullest these up incoming games because not only for the performance of our Diamondbacks. But for the whole organization. We are in sudden crisis and we need to believe in our team. Believe in our team and keep the faith!

I know for a fact that our team's fan support was lessened because of the team's poor performance. And I will be the first to say I am sorry for killing the team of the large fall. But now, we are going to war with the enemy. Seriously, our enemy was the one who created the mess. Either its Russ Ortiz, Joe G, Grimsley, Mulonland (still dont care), or anyone else.

The points of this is that this is proof that we will not lose hope in our team anymore. You may call this useless, but its the power of the fans that can help. No matter what. Even if the defeat is by 100.

I'll sign first. Because of the fact that this is not a joke anymore. This is more of life. So many things are happening in the organization, so we have to support them no matter what. Remember that.

VIII

Prospect Campaign

Mr. Philosophical — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 23:44:19 -0000

"I'm sinking to the water under ground..."
-- AFI

S. Drew: .312 BA, 9 HR, 34 RBI, .372 OBP
--
C. Counsell: .279 BA, 1 HR, 20 RBI, .330 OBP

S. Hairston: .320 BA, 15 HR, 46 RBI, .399 OBP
--
S. Green: .319 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI, .376 OBP
L. Gonzo: .262 BA, 6 HR, 28 RBI, .349 OBP

Mentions: Chris Carter, Chris Young, Alberto Callaspo

Look we suck now. Our vets cannot handle this. I think we need to call up our prospects. Right now. I rather see our Prospects suck than our F***in Vets. Especially Gonzo. I mean, thanks for everything, but you really need to sit the bench. I mean, not even the losing streak that we began to suck, but season long as well. Come on rookie, we need more young guns up here. I'm tired of our team being the laughing stock of the league. We need to do something right now.

2006 MLB Draft

Mr. Philosophical — Mon, 22 May 2006 18:54:39 -0000

Finally, our Scouting Director Mike Rizzo will be busy these weeks because of the upcoming MLB Draft. Now everyone expects that the Diamondbacks would draft a LHP if one falls on their lap. That would be very awkward because our Arizona Cardinals did draft a left handed Quarterback in Matt Leinart. Anyways, there had been interesting events of the MLB Draft, like our Bust, Jack Cust, that did not do very well and I stress the word very when he was with the Diamondbacks. To our Ace in our rotation, Brandon Webb, who was drafted in the 8th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. And he has done very well for us and without him, we would not be contending for another NL West Championship.

with the past gone in our favor (For now...), Now we look forward to drafting more prospects for our organization. And if we place our numbers right like the last few years, then we should be contending for Championships for years to come.

I found this Mock Draft for the 2006 Draft a while ago, and I would like to share it.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article_perspectives.jsp?ymd=20060516&content_id=1456105& vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp

Thoughts of the MLB Draft anyone?