Rosenthal’s Picks to Improve Yankees Bullpen before the trade deadline posted by Cesar Valverde

Hazel Mae interviewed Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports the other night on MLB Network’s show Quick Pitch. Mae brought out the point that the Yankees needed to improve their bullpen. Ken mentioned that the Yankees are all set with Brian Bruney and that they expect improvement in their bullpen upon his return. He also brought out some possibilities considering that Brian has been on the DL twice this season. Here are his picks along with my personal reaction to each pick:

Jose Valverde (Houston Astros) – Valverde is the closer for the ‘Stros. Last year he had over 40 saves for them for the 2nd year in a row. Last I read, he’s only got 3 saves this year so far. He’s been hampered by an injured calf and an injured foot from a comebacker hitting off his leg against the Dodgers earlier this year. He tried his best to work through it but ended up on the disabled list and ex-Yankee LaTroy Hawkins filled in for him. Do you think Houston will give him up if they fall out of contention? At first I thought, “He is their man. He is their closer. He’s their version of Mariano Rivera. He’s had 40+ saves the previous 2 seasons. They’re keeping him.” Then I looked at their place in the standings and found that they were in the cellar 6 games behind the 1st place Cardinals in the NL Central. If they fall out of contention by the trade deadline, I believe they might trade him to a team looking for a reliever.

Huston Street (Colorado Rockies) – The 2005 AL Rookie of the Year with the Oakland A’s, Street is now the closer for the Rox. He recently got his 100th career save. In the series against the Tampa Bay Rays that MLB.com called the battle of the 2 hottest teams in baseball, Street was lights out against the Rays. He was called in to close those last 2 games and did not disappoint: 2 games, 2 saves. I believe that if the Rockies continue to win and move up the standings, Street will be the key to close out their ball games. They may not be able to catch up to the Dodgers in the NL West. L.A.’s running away with that division this year. But they may be able to catch up to the Brewers in the Wild Card and Street will be key in those close games.

Round Rock Express vs Albuquerque Isotopes: Battle for 1st posted by Keith trussell

      Albuquerque Isotopes at Round Rock Express  June 12 2009

     So the battle for the Pacific Coast League American South Division is on.  After last night’s rainout, the series finally got underway, with both teams tied for first in the division at 28-32.  Albuquerque had been in a bit of a slump, going 3-7 in their last ten games, while Round Rock went 6-4.  Oddly, the teams had identical home and road records going into the series.  Offensively, the Isotopes overall stats looked better; they completely eclipsed the Express in home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks drawn and whiffed on fewer strike outs.  They also were way ahead in stolen bases and OPS (my new favorite stat).  Pitching-wise, Round Rock held a slight (and I mean VERY slight) edge.  For the most part the pitching was evenly matched concerning overall stats, but the Express were facing Charlie Haeger, who was 7-3 with an ERA just over 4, one of the better ones in the PCL.  And to give credit where credit is due, Haeger pitched a helluva game, good by any standards: he went seven innings, gave up four hits and one run, and only walked two.  Usually that’s more than enough for a win against Round Rock’s pitching, but Mark McLemore is improving very fast.  In his third start since returning from extended spring training, he only gave up three hits (all singles) in six innings, allowing no runs and getting four strikeouts while only issuing two walks.  After him, Casey Daigle and Brendan Donnelly got the hold and the save.  In three innings of relief, they combined to allow one hit and no runs while notching three strikeouts and doling no walks (Round Rock only gave up two walks the whole game, quite remarkable for team who throws more BBs than a shotgun).

5 Trades that Need to Happen in Major League Baseball posted by Daniel Doyle

These 5 deals need to be done by July 31st.

With the Nate McLouth trade still fresh on our minds, what other deals appear to be necessary, if not imminent? Atlanta was able to fill perhaps the single biggest hole of any team, in its lack of outfield production. Here are the five trades that need to be made sooner than later.

5.) Nick Johnson traded to the Boston Red Sox.

This doesn't seem like a blockbuster of a deal, but the Red Sox do not need any kind of overhaul, just a slight tinkering to really rev their engine. Ortiz appears to be in a funk that he may not get out of. At least not this year. In the American League you must get production out of your DH spot. Johnson would be a nice upgrade and could spell Kevin Youkilis occasionally at first base.

4.) Jose Valverde traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Scott Downs has filled in admirably as the Jays closer so far this season. However, if Toronto wants to make a serious run at a playoff birth this year, they need a dominant ninth inning option to rival Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon in the AL East. Scott Downs would be a much better option in the eighth and take even less pressure off of B.J. Ryan. In return, the Jays have a few nice, young bats in their farm system that Houston might consider.

3.) Miguel Tejada traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

I realize that the Astros and Cardinals are in the same division, which makes them unlikely trade partners. But the Astros must see the writing on the wall. They have been very bad this year and have great trade chips in Valverde and Tejada that they must cash in. Troy Glaus could miss the rest of the year and Khalil Greene just landed on the DL a few days ago, leaving a weakened left side of the infield. Tejada has actually been a bright spot for Houston this year, hitting .355 while driving in 33, and could play either SS or 3B for the Red Birds.

Houston Astros Triple-A Affiliate Round Rock Express Figure Things Out Against The Salt Lake City Bees posted by Keith trussell

     Round Rock Express hitters were surely looking forward to this past weekend’s series against the Salt Lake City Bees.  Coming into the series the Pacific Coast League pitching rankings of the Bees were: last in ERA, first in home runs allowed, second most runs allowed, third most hits, and issued the fewest strikeouts and fourth most walks.  The Express definitely needed some soft pitching; they went into the first game of the series without having scored a run in 16 innings.  That  gutworm gnawing extended to 19 innings before Round Rock scored two in the third inning of the first game.  From there it was fine sailing for The Express, except for a game three hiccup that was more the fault of the pitchers.  The offense still managed five runs on eleven hits in that game. 

     Here is how the hitting for The Express broke down over the four game series:  38 Hits (12 a game, up from 9.43 before) which increased their team Batting Average from .264 to .270, 18 RBIs, and their Slugging Percentage was raised from .397 to .401.  They also averaged 5.75 Runs Per Game during the series, compared to 4.36 before.  Individually, the main standout was Tommy Manzella, who had six hits in the series, two of them Doubles.  Saccomanno also increased his hitting streak to 17 games.  The sad part was the inability of Round Rock to get a single Home Run off of the team who has given the most up in league.

Houston Astros swept by the St. Louis Cardinals posted by Richard Zowie

I'm sensing that soon the Houston Astros pitchers will file a lawsuit against the hitters on the team for lack of run support. Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez have both pitched good games twice. Their combined record: 0-3 and a no-decision.

Houston was outscored 18-5 by the Cardinals this weekend, and in two of those games, they scored no more than two runs. One of those was a shutout.

Yes, I know hitting's extremely difficult and that even the game's greatest hitter, Ty Cobb (career .367 hitter) went hitless more than 63 percent of the time. Either Houston's bats are in the deep freeze or they need to be relentless. Every time Carlos Zambrano or Kyle Lohse pitches against Houston, the bullpen for those teams probably goes out and parties until dawn the night before.

The Sports Don's 2009 NL Central Preview posted by Christian Mielcarek

There are only a few sure things in the National League Central this year. The Chicago Cubs will win, the Pittsburgh Pirates will lose, and Albert Pujols will continue to be the best hitter in the NL. The Cincinnati Reds’ staff is intriguing, as is St. Louis’ if Chris Carpenter has a positive impact in his return from injury, and how much will Milwaukee miss CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets?

To read The Sports Don’s AL East preview, click here, for his AL Central preview, click here, for his AL West preview, click here, and for his NL West preview, click here.

1.  CHICAGO CUBS (97-64, first place and lost in NLDS in 2008)

The Cubs’ pitchers led the majors in strikeouts, and their hitters led the NL in runs scored last season making for a pretty potent team that should produce similar totals in 2009. Oft injured Milton Bradley was signed as a free agent, and the temperamental outfielder was the lone batter added to a lineup that already featured Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto. Chicago’s batting order offers some of the best balance in the league in terms of speed, power and average. If Kosuke Fukudome can hit like he did in the first half of ’08 (.296 average) and not like the second half (.207), he can keep his job and be a dangerous lefty in a right-hander oriented lineup.

On the mound, Ryan Dempster hopes to recapture the magic he experienced in ’08 when he went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA and finished sixth in the NL Cy Young voting. When Rich Harden is healthy, which he rarely is, he’s filthy. And then there’s Crazy Carlos Zambrano and lefty Ted Lilly who combined to go 31-15 last year with 314 strikeouts. Kevin Gregg stole the closer job for Carlos Marmol late in the spring, screwing up quite a few fantasy teams, but the pair still makes for a scary one-two at the back of the bullpen.

Ryan Moats, You Are a Better Man Than Me... posted by Tony Vandervort

By now we've all heard the story and probably seen the video. Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats was driving his family to the Baylor Regional Medical Center in the Dallas Suburb of Plano, to make it to see his mother-in-law as she was in critical condition. She was suffering from breast cancer, and they had been told she didn't have much time. Moats put on his hazards, and by his account rolled through a red light after making sure the way was clear. Officer Robert Powell was parked nearby and attempted to pull him over. Moats continued to drive a short distance to the hospital, as Powell pursued. As he pulled up near the entrance of the hospital, the family jumped out of the car. Officer Powell instructed them to get back in the car, but Moats wife Tamishia and another family member ran inside. Ryan Moats tried explaining the situation to Officer Powell, who over the course of the next thirteen minutes would not listen, and herein lies the controversy.

For about the first five minutes of the conversation, Mr. Moats tried in vain to explain what was going on. He could hardly get a word out, as Officer Powell told him more than once to keep his mouth shut. At one point he even told him, "I can screw you over". After a few minutes, Ryan seemed to realize that arguing was getting him nowhere, even slowing down the process. He asked that he be given his ticket so he could be on his way, which would not happen for approximately eight more minutes. As Officer Powell took his time writing the citation, Moats mother-in-law, 45 year old Jonetta Collinsworth, passed away with her daughter by her side.

Rangers lay off several front office staff

The Texas Rangers have cut several staff members from its front office, despite improved results on the field and at the gate.Rangers spokesman John Blake tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the job cuts amounted to less than 10 percent of the staff. Before the cuts, the Rangers had about 275 organization employees exclusive of onfield personnel.The Rangers lead the AL West going into Tuesday night's home game against the Houston Astros. [read full article]

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