# MLB: July 2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913 "2012-07-01T16:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/181 "2012-07-24T05:58:29Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > As a Mariners fan, I have loved watching Ichiro for the last twelve years. This is a very sad day. They gave him away for virtually nothing in return. The M’s don’t need more pitching. The thought of seeing him in pinstripes makes me want to throw up too. Why couldn’t have been any other team besides the fucking Yankees? They’re starting a series tonight too. The Mariners have been a Yankees farm team for YEARS (speaking as a (somewhat disgruntled) Mariners fan). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/182 "2012-07-24T08:06:46Z")
Yeah, well, Ken Phelps!! ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/183 "2012-07-24T14:32:35Z")
[QUOTE=Frank Costanza] What the hell did you trade Jay Buhner for?! He had 30 home runs, over 100 RBIs last year! He’s got a rocket for an arm… You don’t know what the hell you’re doing! [/QUOTE] … ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/184 "2012-07-25T02:04:51Z")
The D-backs are doing what they need to be during a weak portion of the schedule. They beat the daylights out of the Astros and so far as beating up on the Rockies. Now, if they hadn’t taken the weekend off against the Cubs two weeks ago… ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/185 "2012-07-25T03:03:41Z")
Seattle musician Ben Gibbard wrote an Ichiro [theme song](http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2012/07/23/hear-ben-gibbards-song-for-ichiro-suziki/) a few years back, but only released it after he was traded. In other news, the Pirates are _buyers_ this year. They just nabbed Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros. I really want Pittsburgh to at least finish above .500 this year. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/186 "2012-07-25T09:00:14Z")
[Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers](http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120725&content_id=35530624&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb). > [@](#): > > The Dodgers will announce on Wednesday the acquisition of infielder Hanley Ramirez and left-handed reliever Randy Choate from the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and Minor League pitcher Scott McGough, according to a baseball source. Ramirez’s last couple of seasons haven’t exactly lived up to the first five, but he’s still an upgrade for the LA offense. He’s hitting .246/.322/.430 this year, and his OPS of .752 (OPS+ 100) is certainly better than the .562 OPS that the Dodgers were getting out of Dee Gordon at shortstop before he headed to the DL. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/187 "2012-07-25T12:05:44Z")
A-Rod has a fractured hand, out for up to 8 weeks…left hand hit by a pitch. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/188 "2012-07-25T12:44:01Z")
Well, now that Wandy Rodriguez has been traded, there’s basically nothing left for the Astros to do this season. Looks like they got a decent return for him anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/189 "2012-07-25T13:56:01Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > there’s basically nothing left for the Astros to do this season. Well, they could be really nice and not try to win in every game with the Reds they have left…and then try really hard to beat all the other teams in the division when they play them. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/190 "2012-07-25T13:58:58Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > [Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers](http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120725&content_id=35530624&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb).Ramirez’s last couple of seasons haven’t exactly lived up to the first five, but he’s still an upgrade for the LA offense. He’s hitting .246/.322/.430 this year, and his OPS of .752 (OPS+ 100) is certainly better than the .562 OPS that the Dodgers were getting out of Dee Gordon at shortstop before he headed to the DL. Wow, LA got Hanley for Eovaldi and a scrub. That’s pretty sweet actually. They took on his salary, but the new ownership doesn’t seem to care about money. Eovaldi is a loss, but not a huge one. He was an ok pitcher but was only ever going to be a 4/5 at best and that is the one thing that LA has TONS of right now. Ramirez has some make up issues that might mean that a move will improve his play, and he isn’t a rental. This could be really good. Anyone know if Choate is any good? I know he’s a LOOGY, but LA could use one of those since their only bullpen lefty is showing reverse splits. ---
**Author:** ![Tanbarkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@Tanbarkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanbarkie)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/191 "2012-07-25T14:38:05Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Wow, LA got Hanley for Eovaldi and a scrub. That’s pretty sweet actually. They took on his salary, but the new ownership doesn’t seem to care about money. Eovaldi is a loss, but not a huge one. He was an ok pitcher but was only ever going to be a 4/5 at best and that is the one thing that LA has TONS of right now. > > Ramirez has some make up issues that might mean that a move will improve his play, and he isn’t a rental. This could be really good. This was probably the best the Marlins were going to get, if they were asking for full salary relief on Ramirez. Eovaldi’s a solid pitcher in the making that could be a replacement for Anibal Sanchez in the next few years. That being said, this trade’s a big win for the Dodgers if Hanley can bounce back even part way - as **NAF1138** mentioned, the Dodgers are flush with cash and have the luxury of eating the contract with no problem if Hanley continues to suck. Worst case scenario, his headspace issues turn him into Mannywood 2.0, and even that would slow this new Dodger organization down only for a second. Speaking as a Giants fan, I just hope Hanley continues turning into a combination of Miggy Cabrera on defense and Mike Fontenot on offense. But I don’t really think that’s likely to happen. > [@](#): > > A-Rod has a fractured hand, out for up to 8 weeks…left hand hit by a pitch. Ouch. If the Yankees are smart (and boy howdy, do I hope they aren’t), they’re on the line with the Padres calling after Chase Headley as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/192 "2012-07-25T21:20:47Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > As a Giants fan I’m cautiously optimistic about Tim Lincecum after today’s performance. If he can manage to get it together, there’s no way the Dodgers are going to be able to keep up. The local radio guys were saying before the game that he’s been way more relaxed and easygoing the last week or so than he was at any point before the All-Star break, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed anyway… Timmy’s getting shelled by the Padres at the moment. Eleven times this year, the Giants have won the first 2 games of a 3 game series. Their record (assuming the Giants go on to lose today) in Game 3: 2-9. 😕:smack: “Giants avert the sweep” has a whole new meaning in SF. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/193 "2012-07-26T01:52:21Z")
I’m already liking the trade for Ramirez. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/194 "2012-07-26T01:57:06Z")
> [@Tanbarkie](#): > > If the Yankees are smart (and boy howdy, do I hope they aren’t), they’re on the line with the Padres calling after Chase Headley as we speak. They can probably muddle through until A-Rod is back, Chavez will play good defense and hit enough I think to cover the 6-8 weeks needed. Though he can probably only play 4 games a week and that might be the bigger issue. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/195 "2012-07-26T02:04:48Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m already liking the trade for Ramirez. 😃 2 for 3 with a two-out RBI and a run scored? Yeah, I’m in favor. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/196 "2012-07-26T03:14:56Z")
Dear Ricky Romero: RULE 2.00 - The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is the horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from a batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball. You know, since you seem to have forgotten. Regards, Rick ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/197 "2012-07-26T14:20:23Z")
Dear Reds: please don’t let this be a fluke. Please make the postseason and actually win a series when you get there. Thanks, FGIE ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/198 "2012-07-26T15:18:31Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Dear Reds: please don’t let this be a fluke. Please make the postseason and actually win a series when you get there. > > Thanks, > FGIE I think we could set a loftier goal for a team that’s 1/2 game off the best record in the league. The NL is not spectacular, this is a great window for the Reds to make some serious noise in the playoffs. I’m talking World Series. I’m interested to see if they make a move before the deadline. I read they’re one of the teams interested in Cody Ross from Boston. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/199 "2012-07-26T15:19:38Z")
Of course with so many rounds of playoffs, there’s always the chance of multiple flukes. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913/200 "2012-07-26T15:33:19Z")
Huh. Missed that the Astros had traded Brett Myers to the White Sox. That’s 9 or so prospects picked up in a week; the band-aid has been well and truly ripped off and now it’s just a matter of “wait until two years from now” to see how it all pans out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2012/626913.md?page=11)