SB Nation User Blog: The Gottfather

A Trade Question

The Gottfather — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:29:02 -0000

Hope this comes out right. This is my first real FanPost.

While everyone else seems to be aiming pretty high for starters (Cain, Greinke, Lowe, etc.), I was wondering about some smaller names from teams that might be looking to deal off guys.

I've wondered for awhile what the rest of VEB thought of talking to Tampa Bay about Andy Sonnanstine. The problem here would obviously be what to offer the Rays. I'm sure a team such as theirs could use some bullpen help (a category in which we actually have depth) as well as a backup catcher. I know they are pretty deep as it is, but I wonder if Ankiel would be someone they would think of. He could presumably fill in for Cliff Floyd as the lefty DH/ OF option.

The reason I say Sonnanstine is that he's still relatively cheap and the team will need to find space in the next few seasons for David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Jake McGee and Wade Davis. Sonnanstine's the least projectable of all these arms, but would seem to fit the Cardinals mold. He pounds the zone and doesn't walk many. He threw 193.1 IP last season striking out 124 while only walking 37. He does give up his fair share of hits, but I think he could do pretty well for the team. Another option out of Tampa would be Edwin Jackson, but I have a feeling he's a little more fragile (not a good mix with LaRussa/Duncan) than Sonny.

The other team I was thinking of would be the Boston Red Sox. They have Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden who all seem to be in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation in the next few years. Here the answer for what to offer jumps right out at you. Mike Timlin is getting older and a right handed reliever would seem to fit the bill along with any type of catching help. I have a feeling the Rangers will be calling Theo Epstein this offseason as is, but why don't the Cards jump on it and check out for themselves?

With all the bigger names flying around for offseason possibilities I've been pondering what the rest of the community thought about these two teams and their needs as well as our own.

Gio Metro

The Gottfather — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:45:53 -0000

As an east-coaster with an early morning job I don't get much time to see the late-night, west-coast minor league games. Has anybody here seen any of Gio Gonzalez's starts, and if so, what has been his problem so far? He seems to still be striking batters out at a relatively solid clip, but everything else seems to have gone a little haywire. Is it the level of competition catching up to him, an injury that hasn't healed or is it just the fact that like most other Geo's before him, once he hits that bad patch, it just starts to fall apart?

Any insight would be welcome as I've been a fan of his for the past few years and now that he's moved out to Sacramento, it's been a little harder to keep up.

Ryan Braun's phenomenal season

The Gottfather — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:55:56 -0000

I'm sure many of you have already noticed, but while looking at the Cardinals/ Brewers game tonight, I watched Albert Pujols hit his 32nd HR and get his 100th RBI in his 154th game. That's 7 straight seasons of 30/100. What really got me though is that Ryan Braun had 2 RBI's to bring his total to 93 and he has 33 HR's in only 109 games. With a few games left he has a serious shot at 35 HR and 100 RBI's.

I guess my real question is with a full season THIS season, what numbers could Braun have put up? I'd really just like to see some ideas from people who have seen or know more about him than me.

AJ Burnett in red?

The Gottfather — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:22:06 -0000

There have been a few reports out of Toronto that AJ Burnett and JP Riccardi got into a serious argument leading to rumors that Burnett may be on the block. The Cards are believed to be interested as they pursued Burnett prior to his signing with Toronto.

Most of this was brought up on a Canadian sports talk show CasinoRama Grill Room. I was wondering if anyone else heard anything about it and what are the feelings?

Garrett Olson called up

The Gottfather — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:26:11 -0000

CBS Sportsline reports
CHICAGO -- The Baltimore Orioles purchased the contract of left-hander Garrett Olson from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Olson, who was 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA for Norfolk, was scheduled to start against Chicago in his major league debut.

To make room for Olson on the roster, the Orioles designated reliever Scott Williamson for assignment. Williamson was 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 appearances. He wasn't available in Tuesday night's loss to the White Sox because of a bruised foot.

So what does everyone think of him? Will he have any impact for the O's in the future or is he just another arm that will come and go? I hope he does well for the O's because I'm tired of seeing them do so poorly. And I'm not even a Baltimore fan.

Nelson Cruz

The Gottfather — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:44:02 -0000

I know he's been in the majors already, but this guy was supposed to be a big time hitter. All he's done since being sent back down to AAA is post a .371/.452/.790 line with 7 HR and 16 RBI. Does anyone still have faith in this guy making a big splash in Texas? Just looking for some insight on someone closer to the area.

Community Prospect Report 5-17-07

The Gottfather — Thu, 17 May 2007 18:16:27 -0000

I saw no one else doing it yet, so I figured I'd use my break to get this started.

Clay Buchholz threw early today in game 1 of a doubleheader. Final line- 5.2 3 1 1 3 7 0

Garza (2-2, 3.75) looks to be scheduled for tonight as is Van Benschoten(3-2, 1.82)

What other prospects are you guys keeping an eye on?

Dustin McGowan

The Gottfather — Wed, 02 May 2007 16:27:46 -0000

CBS Sportsline reports:
Replacing Gustavo Chacin (elbow) in the rotation will be right-hander Dustin McGowan, who will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse. With the Chiefs, McGowan is 0-2 but with a 1.64 ERA. In 22 innings, McGowan, the Jays' No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft, has 29 strikeouts. In parts of two seasons with the Jays, McGowan has gone 2-5 with a 6.69 ERA in 29 games, including 10 starts. Josh Towers will remain relegated to middle relief.
(Updated 05/01/2007).

So I guess my question is, with 6 years of minor league service and a couple of short stints in the major leagues, what can be expected of McGowan? He's only 24 mind you.

Thanks a lot guys.