The baseball thread.

[Brock Landers]

Me too- give him to the Yankees.
Im happy with what we have, especially considering Lester is just chilling there at AAA working on his stamina and command.

[smmokan]

I was very surprised to hear the Sox name in the hunt for Buehrle... starting pitching is the last thing they need- especially if it means giving up one of their young studs.

[MassLiberal]

Lester is who the were talking about on EEI as the one they'd give up.

Isn't it nice to be able to have a discussion as to whether Mark Buerhle is someone whom the sox should pursue?

[basom]

i dont know. maybe there is more of a problem with shil than we think, and they are looking at alternatives if he cant go hard the rest of the way.

[Steven S. Dallas]

starting pitching is the last thing they need

Not if Schilling's gone after next season. Or maybe they don't think he'll be any good for the rest of this year- Francona said something last night about Gabbard making two or three starts, not just one. First I heard about that.

edit: basom gets it. And he's handsome.

Lester is who the were talking about on EEI as the one they'd give up.

Gotta give something to get something; if they can re-sign Buehrle for reasonable money then you get the lefty in the rotation and still hang on to Bucholtz and Bowden.

[smmokan]

If they re-sign Buehrle, then it makes sense... but there's no way he's signing an extension for less than $12 mil a year, probably more.

[Steven S. Dallas]

I think that's the idea. He has been very durable and he's only 28, but I don't love the idea of giving anyone $75 million when they could have Bucholtz and Lester in the rotation for basically nothing instead. Like I said earlier, 4/$48m would be tolerable- then they'd have Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Buehrle together for three years, with one of the young guys backing them up. And Wake, obviously.

[smmokan]

Assuming Schilling is healthy (that he recovers from this injury and doesn't have any other setbacks), do you think the Sox would really let him go after this year? I just can't see that.

[stump832]

Because the Red-Sox-Prospect-Hype machine has been in 6th gear with respect to Clay Buccholz lately, I just wanted to throw out there how fucking amazing Michael Bowden was in what was is probably the toughest league for pitcher's in all of organized baseball. While playing in the High-A California league (as a 20 year old) before his call-up to Portland, he posted an ERA of 1.37, allowing just 35 hits and 1 HR in 46 Innings.

He's a hit a bit of an adjustment in AA, so it'll be interesting to see how he does the rest of this season. If he figures things out and his K, HR, and BB rates carry-over from A ball, we're looking at another potential #1 starter. It'd be tough to see him traded away for a 3 month rental of Buerhle, in my opinion.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Bowden averaged more than two Ks/inning his senior year in high school. I know it's high school, but that's sick. Both he and Bucholtz have very high ceilings fo sho and I would hate to give up either.

[Brock Landers]

Why wouldnt the Dodgers go after Buerhle? Theyre contenders and need to replace Schmidt. Getting a good AL pitcher who plays the national league type game (throwing strikes, pitch to contact, lefty who is very tough to run against). Seems like a great fit, if they have some prospects to unload.

[smmokan]

Bit of a stretch calling a kid with a 4+ ERA in AA a potential #1 starter... but as you said, that's the "Red-Sox-Prospect-Hype" machine in full effect. I guess they're all potential #1's, huh?

[Steven S. Dallas]

Bit of a stretch calling a kid with a 4+ ERA in AA a potential #1 starter

Yeah, it's not like they've been scouting him or anything.

It's only 7 games, and he's improved with each outing. But sure, he's hyped- he's only 20, so anything can happen.

[Woodsy]

Why wouldnt the Dodgers go after Buerhle? Theyre contenders and need to replace Schmidt. Getting a good AL pitcher who plays the national league type game (throwing strikes, pitch to contact, lefty who is very tough to run against). Seems like a great fit, if they have some prospects to unload.

I dont think we are that bad off w/o schmidt, although it is a bummer. We were in the top 3 of ERA with out him really contributing.
Wolf has been Superlative thus far, Lowe is leading the NL in complete games and has his ERA around 3. Y'all know usually gets stronger as the year goes on, NO?
Penny is one of the best in the game this year and should be better in the seconfd half this season. Physically he is better off.
Billingsly and Kuo are looking fine & dandy, and i also do not want to give up future stars for a one year rental.
We do have some aging batters though so the futre may be now.
dont hold your breath, we would prolly deal for an outfielder first.

[Brock Landers]

The only reason D Lowe pitched so well in the postseason in Boston was because all the outdoor bars in the city closed down for winter. Not sure he will be as effective during the fall in LA, he will still be chasing women and housing Stellas all season long.

But youre right, if the Dodgers can part with a hitter or outfield prospect, they will add to an already nasty rotation. Penny is top 3 in the NL.

[smmokan]

The Dodgers have a TON of prospects they can deal, especially in the OF/hitter category.

[72Twenty]

Biggio is 4 hits away (currently at 2996). He plays tonight in Milwaukee and is set to sit out tomorrow (@ MIL), so it looks like the milestone is going to happen on Thursday or Friday at Houston against the Rockies.... unless he goes 4 for 4 tonight.

[Woodsy]

I would like to say
Biggio is amazing and after Proctors junkshow tonight and Gagne's sudden resurgance, you know he wil be a Yankee soon.

I will cry for my hockey thug to wear the pinstripes, but I bet it will happen.

[smmokan]

Maybe Cashman will trade away a good pitching prospect for Gag-me. That would be awesome.

[iceman]

Seattle owns us in Safeco. What is that, 8 straight there? Maybe Matsuzaka can break the string today.

[Brock Landers]

7 or 8. I dont even worry about Safeco anymore- I just assume theyll lose so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour. Good thing they arent really a playoff contender. Shaping up to be a good summer though, Cleveland and Detroit playing very well, and the Angels are hot. I could see any one of these teams in the WS

[smmokan]

The Angels have been on fire for the last two months- amazing if you look at that lineup. What I don't understand, is why do teams pitch to Vlad? I know its hard to walk him since he swings at everything, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Their pitching is strong to quite strong, however. And yes, Detroit is heating up.... they score runs in bunches.

[Steven S. Dallas]

The Ms are playing pretty good baseball right now, they're just really streaky. They were slaying until they ran into the twin buzz saws that are the Cubs and Astros and dropped six straight, now its looking like they're back on track. I wasn't able to watch last night's game, but Monday's was one of the more frustrating affairs of the season so far. Fuck the fucking Mariners and these ridiculous road trips.

[iceman]

I don't see how you can walk Vlad unless you do it intentionally. Even then he might still swing.

[iceman]

Fuck the fucking Mariners and these ridiculous road trips.

No kidding, I need some games on Eastern time pronto, this has been way too long a trip.