-the Angels paid a heavy price to not get much better. Kind of stupid.
-the Braves, in turn, were smart.
-the Tigers gave away their starting catcher for nothing. Kind of stupid.
-the Yankees, in turn, were smart.
-the Astros traded for another veteran. All kinds of stupid.
-the Marlins traded a decent prospect for a reliever who won't offer much of an improvement. Kind of stupid.
-the Mariners, in turn, were smart.
-the White Sox traded for Ken Griffey Jr. with the intention of making him a regular outfielder. Oh my god I can hardly fathom this level of stupid.
-the Reds, in turn, were smart.
-the Dodgers traded away value, but no outfielders, in exchange for two months of Manny Ramirez. Kind of stupid.
-the Red Sox and Pirates, in turn, were smart, the former more than the latter.
-the Rays got boned.
-the Mariners asked for way way way way way too much in return for Jarrod Washburn. Kind of stupid.
-the Yankees and Rockies, in turn, were smart.
All things considered, it was a pretty fun deadline, at least compared to others in the recent past. The Manny trade really put it over the top, and served to confirm that Theo Epstein is good at his job, and Ned Colletti is not. Kudos to Theo for apparently being one of the only people in baseball with a solid understanding of how much Manny's actually worth to a team. The widespread perception of his value is what made this trade possible, and the Red Sox are coming away clear winners. The losers are LA and Tampa, the former because it made the trade, and the latter because it reportedly had a superior offer for Bay turned down in favor of this one. The Rays may have a three-game lead in the division, but I'd say their odds of staying there through the end of the year come down to little more than a coin flip. This is not an easy pill for them to swallow.
As for the Mariners, I guess it makes sense that an organization that's so woefully bad at pitcher evaluation wildly overplayed its hand. Jarrod Washburn isn't good - at all - but Pelekoudas was treating him like a bonafide #2, and no one was dumb enough to take the bait. As expected. I won't call him on it yet since there's still another month to give Jarrod away, and that's really all I want, but even letting things get this far reflects a bad thought process. The Mariners had arguably the most desirable starter on the market, and they couldn't turn him into any value. That's bad, no matter how you spin it.
Interesting day. On to the final two months.
0 recs | 80 comments
I'm beginning to think the Dodgers are the worst run origination in baseball.
JI - July 31, 2008
The worst ran beginning?
R.J. Anderson - July 31, 2008
Subject line spell check has failed me yet again
I blame Graham.
JI - July 31, 2008
He blames you, so you're even.
Thingray - July 31, 2008
Worse than the M's?
Uh, no.
tait644 - July 31, 2008
new GM new GM new Gm
JI - July 31, 2008
Same FO Same FO Same FO
tait644 - July 31, 2008
I withhold the worst case scenario until he/she is hired.
JI - July 31, 2008
Then why bother caring?
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
Good question
I’m about at that point.
If Lincoln and Armstrong are back, and someone like Avila/Evans/Towers is the GM, I’m done.
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Wait what's wrong with Towers?
Graham MacAree - July 31, 2008
He's got a mediocre track record
Four division titles in 13 years, currently with a roster/farm system with little impact talent. Not sure how he’d make the Mariners demonstrably better, other than the fact that he’s not Bill Bavasi.
tait644 - July 31, 2008
So?
Graham MacAree - July 31, 2008
The ownership environment plays a big role there.
Matt Bush, anyone?
Teej - July 31, 2008
Pitcher!
JI - July 31, 2008
Fun with TINY sample sizes:
Matt Bush struck out 20 guys per 9 innings last year, but also gave up 6.25 HR/9.
(He threw 7.2 innings)
Teej - July 31, 2008
And the M's ownership/CEO doesn't here???
PositivePaul - August 1, 2008
Post like these are the most obnoxious there.
If (X)_m then I’m done.
JI - July 31, 2008
Fuck you SBN 2.0
JI - July 31, 2008
I knew what you meant and I agree with you.
pdb - July 31, 2008
I like it. It looks a little like glowering eyes, so it works.
Kirsten Schlewitz - August 1, 2008
Well, I'm certainly not going to wait forever...
I’ve put enough money and time and emotion into this organization.
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Just don't come back when they win.
Mariner John - August 1, 2008
Yes.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
Astros?
Jed MC - August 1, 2008
The Mariners had arguably the most desirable starter on the market, and they couldn't turn him into any value. That's bad, no matter how you spin it.
Thank you Jeff. My feelings exactly.
Thingray - July 31, 2008
Too bad the final two months
are going to be as boring as hell…
Nebraska is rebuilding (at least with Pelini they are getting it right).
Let’s hope the Cowboys can make me happy.
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Midwest football is stupid.
Go Trojans. And Huskies.
And while we’re at it, is it hockey season yet?
Brian Sullivan - July 31, 2008
Trojans?
Hop off the bandwagon, please…
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Barking up the wrong insult.
Been an ‘SC fan from the get-go. Rob Johnson, Johnnie Morton, the whole shebang.
Brian Sullivan - July 31, 2008
USC is California's oldest private school, is in a huge city and has a history of athletic success.
The “bandwagon” began more than 100 years ago.
Teej - July 31, 2008
Back when it actually was a wagon, probably
seattlebruin - July 31, 2008
Isn't rooting for two Pac 10 teams like choosing two teams from the same division in baseball?
Kirsten Schlewitz - August 1, 2008
Yes.
JI - August 1, 2008
I also root
for the Bruins and Senators. What’s your point?
Brian Sullivan - August 1, 2008
I'm assuming that these two hockey teams are in the same...division? League?
The point is that typically most people don’t cheer for teams that will often meet, because how do you choose?
Kirsten Schlewitz - August 1, 2008
By who's either a) more exciting, or b) has the better chance in the long haul
I don’t care if people say it’s stupid to root for two teams in the same sport/league/division, because since when does it matter to you who I root for?
Just throwin’ that out there.
Brian Sullivan - August 1, 2008
Another month to give Jarrod away.
Another month’s worth of starts for Washburn Please, Jarrod. Hold off regression just a little longer.
ThundaPC - July 31, 2008
You really think..
Boston made off better than Pittsburgh? I mean, talent doesn’t equate to results, but the Bucs did get a buttload in the deal…
Brian Sullivan - July 31, 2008
They kept the Rays from getting Bay.
That’s pretty huge.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
A fair point.
Brian Sullivan - July 31, 2008
The only real prospect they got back was LaRoche
Graham MacAree - July 31, 2008
We could have dealt Raul if we had gotten the three extra hours the Blue Jays got.
JI - July 31, 2008
We apparently passed on two major leaguers from Toronto.
Not sure what to think of that. Picks are more exciting assuming they wont be riding the bull the next time our team goes out drinki—-to play baseball.
Slica - July 31, 2008
Maybe two, but maybe just one.
League and someone not as good as Purcey. I’m fine with passing on that.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
I think you can call him on it.
Even if he eventually moves Washburn, Pelekoudas is playing against the odds. Washburn is a bad string of starts away from losing all or nearly all trade value. A bad string of starts would reflect Washburn’s true talent level. It seems likely that Seattle has effectively screwed themselves out of getting much if anything for Washburn, either because they bluffed badly or because they think Washburn’s recent performance is sustainable :: Failure or epic failure.
In my mind, that’s a right damnable offense.
John Morgan - July 31, 2008
I don't disagree, but I understand the desire to withhold judgment to a certain extent as well.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
As long as Washburn doesn't repeat this
his value should hold
JI - July 31, 2008
FYI
Since the end of May, when his numbers truly were terrible, Washburn has worse BB and K rates. And his BABIP is, predictably, much more friendly.
His value can only go down…
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Most teams aren't stupid enough to judge him on his two most recent outings.
JI - July 31, 2008
Aaaaaaannnnd?
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Why are you worried about his value dropping?
JI - July 31, 2008
Because he isn't as good as he's pitched in June/July...
tait644 - July 31, 2008
Most teams aren't stupid enough to judge him on his two most recent outings.
JI - July 31, 2008
2Ks and 0BBs in 2.1 innings!
That’s almost 8Ks a game with no walks ever!
Matthew - July 31, 2008
I still like that Pudge deal for Detroit.
There’s no downside for them.
Llewdor - July 31, 2008
Sarcasm?
JI - July 31, 2008
Am I the only one
Who thinks the Mariners aren’t planning on shit with Washburn/waivers?
I mean seriously…I cannot be the only one who believes that they believe Washburn IS in fact worth what they have been asking. We’re talking one of the worst talent evaluating front offices in sports, maybe ever.
Slica - July 31, 2008
Knicks.
Raiders.
Matthew - July 31, 2008
Giants
Dodgers
JI - July 31, 2008
we could probably get both teams to take Washburn and give up young talent
MFAN - July 31, 2008
No, you are not the only one.
manyoso - July 31, 2008
Who is called up?
who replaces Rhodes on the 25 man? RRS? taters?
VanillaGorilla - July 31, 2008
They said on the radio it'd be Jared Wells or Hyphen
PLEASE be RR-S. Wells blew Hyphen’s first start giving up 6 runs in one inning. Granted that was one game I am recalling…haven’t really taken the time to look him up but the past ten games haven’t been stellar…well either really good or really bad…but that’s beyond the point.
RR-S is capable dammit! (and he’s a southpaw…)
Smith18 - July 31, 2008
They forget there's also an open 40 man spot with Rhodes leaving
They could add somebody more suitable like Jake Woods.
Also, WTF is Luis Muñoz doing on the 40 man? I had no idea he was there.
Gomez - July 31, 2008
Wow I am slipping!
I seriously had to go look up Luis Munoz…
Good point…
Right now the Mariners website shows 38 on the 40-man.
Pitcher-wise I’d agree Jake Woods would probably be the best choice for the 40-man spot.
If they chose a batter maybe Redman. I’d say Tui cuz I am biased…his day’ll come
I just started getting familiar with the minor-leaguers…
Smith18 - August 1, 2008
They had an open spot on the 40 man and picked him up on waivers
this was before the Rhodes thing, so I’m not so sure that move looks great now. Still, they’ve got an open spot on the 40 man AGAIN, so what’s the point in bringing in Wells? Woods makes waaay more sense.
I hope you like pitching every day, Jimenez.
marc w - August 1, 2008
I'd rather it be Feier right now...
Let Hyphen get 1-2 more starts in Tacoma to stretch out in a little bit safer environment…
Hey, Ryan—don’t look at me in that tone of voice!
PositivePaul - August 1, 2008
that's a neat picture.
JI - August 1, 2008
I enjoy this.
Kirsten Schlewitz - August 1, 2008
That's an AWESOME picture!!
I don’t wanna say much on the internet cuz whatever is on the internet stays on the internet and you can be haunted by it forever in very bad ways…(okay done with that little lecture to myself) but I will say that he REALLY does not want to play in Tacoma anymore.
I mean, that’s a “duh” but I also think he is capable and I’d like to see him have the chance
I’m not sure how i feel about Feier yet…I’ve seen him lose some games badly. But he also has been doing better in Tac…so i don’t know!
Smith18 - August 1, 2008
He was clearly ticked about having to pitch in Tacoma.
I love his ‘tude. He went out and basically kicked ass and took names on Weds.
PositivePaul - August 1, 2008
Clearly. But he's got one of the best 'tudes I've seen
And it looks like he is harnessing whatever anger/frustration he may have and using it to his advantage. He is doing everything he was sent down there to do so if he doesn’t get called up it certainly isn’t his fault.
Tacoma on Wednesday was a great game!! Must say…better than tonight’s 5th inning disaster of the Mariner game
Smith18 - August 1, 2008
freebeef.
RATW - July 31, 2008
LA with Manny
is going to beat up on the Padres the last two months, and Arizona will also. Because the D’backs and Dodgers will fight it out in “meaningful” games to the end, the Padres get very drubbed in September.
Meanwhile, Seattle will play decent ball in September, because the Angels will clinch around September 5, and won’t mind going .500 versus the M’s. The A’s are played out, Texas has shown vulnerability playing the M’s, so I’m figuring the Mariners will finish with the 4th-worst record, and the Padres the worst in MLB….
Which will work out great for a certain pitcher (“SS”) whose favorite player is Jake Peavy, plays for “Mr Padre”, and grew up in the San Diego area.
My inside “SoCal based knowledge” will be moot.
One won lost won - July 31, 2008
Still not funny.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2008
I thought you were warned.
JI - July 31, 2008
never trust a guy with a Gazza quote in his sig line
Paul Gascoigne’s best friend is named Five Bellies. That’s really all you need to know.
pdb - July 31, 2008
The Rays may have a three-game lead in the division, but I’d say their odds of staying there through the end of the year come down to little more than a coin flip. This is not an easy pill for them to swallow.
You sir, made a grave mistake.
P Brady - July 31, 2008
Also: David Price is gonna never look at an SBnation blog again after this you jerks.
P Brady - July 31, 2008
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