SB Nation User Blog: bunner

MLB Trade Deadline Simulation

bunner — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:17:38 -0000

Over at a site I post on: Fanballers.com I have put up an idea to run a MLB Trade Deadline Simulation, where we get 30 people to each take over a current MLB roster and make trades approaching the July 31 deadline - just for fun, to see how things could go with some over-active GMs - at the end we'll vote on who did the best job etc.

If you're interested visit the site here and post a comment saying you're interested and leave your email address so you can be contacted re: the simulation (we won't use your email for anything else I promise)...

www.fanballers.com

Mat Latos

bunner — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:41:35 -0000

How long before Mat Latos is pitching in SD?

He started the year injured (again) but has been unworldly since starting. Seemed like the Padres were being conservative starting him in Low A ball but he dominated that level in 25.1 innings of work. A more agressive promotion to AA should have been a challenge for him however in his 17.2 innings of work there he's posted 9.68 K/9, .74 WHIP, .51 ERA and only allowed 1 earned run and no HRs.

With SD's constant need for pitching will Latos get a call sometime this year? If he does, pitching in PETCO do you think he'll be able to be an effective MLB starter and future ace?

Pitching Conundrum

bunner — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:50:27 -0000

The Jays have a pitching conundrum on their hands and it's not a bad thing...So far this year Doc has been Doc, Tallet has been better then expected, Richmond has been good, Janssen has looked good in his few starts, Romero has been up and down but hopefully will have more ups as the season moves on. So that's 5 decent starters right there....

Jesse Litsch is recovering from injury and could return soon, Marcum and McGowan will both possibly return at some point in 2009 in preparation for a healthy 2010.

That is 8 starters who have all had some degree of success at the major league level...

In the minors there is Brett Cecil who outside of 1 bad outing vs Boston looked like a future ace with the Jays, Robert Ray who at the worst could be a solid back end rotation innings eater type starter, Brad Mills has had a solid go of it in AAA after a spectacular spring and David Purcey who's been ok in AAA though got knocked around in the majors. Fabio Castro has really come on in 2009. In AA Reidier Gonzalez has looked good, Marc Rzepczynski has potential as well...So that gives the Jays 7 starter prospects in the high minors with major league abilities.

Where does all this leave the Jays rotation in 2010? Doc will be #1, Marcum/McGowan/Janssen would be penciled in as 2-3-4 starters so that leaves Romero, Litsch, Tallet, Richmond battling for the 5th spot. However one would have to assume that Cecil will be ready for full-time pitching duties in 2010 as might Mills and Ray.

Having too much of a commodity is not a bad thing, what is a little unnerving is wondering how JP will deal with this excess of quality arms. I for one hope he packages a few starters together to add a legitimate power bat to the middle of the order or to acquire a 2nd ace to slot in behind Halladay (or both?)

Halladay = "Boatload"

bunner — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:29:39 -0000

I think our beloved JP has changed his stance on this topic a few times. When asked a few months ago about trading Halladay he said absolutely no way, no how would he be dealt. Then during spring training he said he didn't want to but if he was forced to he would listen. Now he's saying he'd want a "boatload" in return.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/05/02/jays.halladay/

"If we ever did get to that point,'' the GM added, "we'd want a boatload. And I don't know whether anyone would offer a boatload. But obviously, we're not at that point.''

Now, I highly doubt (even if they fall out of the race in the AL East or Wild Card) that Doc will be traded this year. Now, in some alternate universe if he were to be traded whom do you think he'd be traded to and what would the Jays get in return for him?

My feelings would be that he cannot be dealt within the AL East, and possibly not even to another AL team. Which takes out the Yankees and Red Sox though they have a ton of players that could interest/help the Jays. The Dodgers are another obvious fit because of their top quality young players (Kemp/Kershaw) and prospect depth.

A darkhorse candidate: The Atlanta Braves (Yunel Escobar, Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward and a 1B prospect like Freddie Freeman). Braves have been lacking an Ace since Maddux/Glavine days...adding Doc instantly makes them a favourite in the NL East once again.

Brett Cecil is up

bunner — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:08:35 -0000

The Jays have sent David Purcey to AAA (along with Brian Burres and Bryan Bullington) and recalled Brett Cecil, Robert Ray and Brian Wolfe.

That sure is a lot of Brians (or Bryans) on the move!

Cecil had a wonderful spring and almost made the team, then struggled with an 0-3, 8.31 ERA in 4 starts at AAA Las Vegas. He still has a ton of potential though.

I guess JP thinks he struggled because his ego was hurt not making the team rather then struggled because his stuff was bad.

Check it out...

bunner — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:13:55 -0000

I've joined up with a group of friends on a new blog discussing fantasy and real baseball (and a bit of basketball). Please go check it out...

www.fanballers.com

Newest post is GM Takevoer - Toronto, leave your thoughts on what you'd do if you took over right now for JP Ricciardi...I'm interested to see what everyone (in this community especially) would do with the team.

Thanks for taking a minute to check it out and I hope you stop by regularly...

Ouch...this Hurts...

bunner — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:14:43 -0000

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=276166

The Toronto Blue Jays' already thin starting pitching corps has suffered another loss.

The club announced on Thursday that left-hander Ricky Romero has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique muscle strain.

The 24-year old has had a great start to the season, post a 2-0 record with a 1.71 ERA in three starts.

The move is retroactive to April 20, and the team will make a roster move prior to Saturday's game at Chicago.

Romero was taken sixth overall by the Blue Jays in the 2005 first year player draft.

So who is going to replace Romero in the rotation? Do we see Wade Miller, Brad Mills or Brett Cecil get the call?

Looking ahead in 2009...

bunner — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:25:51 -0000

Jays are off to a great start...and I'm loving it.

IF they are in the race for a playoff spot what kind of moves do you think JP will be able to swing at the deadline for the stretch run, if any?

*Assuming McGowan comes back and is productive some point before the deadline* what about this?

David Purcey + a prospect for SD 1B Adrian Gonzalez

Adrian Gonzalez has been a very productive 1B in a terrible hitters park in SD, he'd be a big upgrade over Lyle in my opinion and SD had a 1B mashing in AAA right now who is cheaper and they'd like to eventually make room for in Kyle Blanks.

Opinion/Predictions for 2009

bunner — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:47:27 -0000

Update from Tom: I am reposting this and putting it on the front page. Since the season starts on the weekend we should be ready to give our predictions now.....

As Rince stated in his post today:

"So let's all share opinions, and see if we do better than the experts."

This got me to thinking about doing a community prediction on the standings and major award winners in MLB for 2009. I’ll give you mine, feel free to add yours at the end I (or someone else) can compile them and give the community’s prediction or we can hold onto them for bragging rights at the end of the season.

Bunner’s Predictions:

AL East Champ: New York Yankees

AL Central Champ: Minnesota Twins

AL West Champ: Oakland As

AL Wildcard: Tampa Bay Rays

ALDS: Yanks over Twins

ALDS: As over Rays

ALCS: Yanks over As

NL East Champ: New York Mets

NL Central Champ: Chicago Cubs

NL West Champ: Arizona Diamondbacks

NL Wildcard: LA Dodgers

NLDS: Mets over Diamondbacks

NLDS: Cubs over Dodgers

NLCS: Cubs over Mets

World Series: Cubs over Yankees in 6 AND THE CURSE IS GONE!!!

AL MVP: Mark Teixeira

NL MVP: David Wright

AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana

AL ROY: David Price

NL ROY: Dexter Fowler

AL Manager of the Year: Bob Geren

NL Manager of the Year: Manny Acta

AL Comeback Player: Travis Hafner

NL Comeback Player: Chris Carpenter

Fantasy Trade Advice

bunner — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:48:59 -0000

14 team H2H league, one of each position, 3 OF, one UTL, 2 SP, 2 RP and 3 P.

Typical categories plus K per 9 for pitchers and Total bases for hitters.

I give up: Alfonso Soriano

I get: Elijah Dukes, James Shields, 1st round pick '10 (we get 6 keepers)

I am a new expansion team this year so I get quanity and give up quality but I think Dukes if his head is on straight could be 20/20 which isn't too far off Soriano...thoughts?

Much appreciated.