As a Mets fan, I have to thank Toronto for D’Arnaud and Syndegaard… *runs
(also that trade convinced me that this front office is one of the best the Mets have had in God knows how long)
I wish I remember who said it, but when Tim Wakefield was having one of his really bad seasons, someone responded to the claim that, “at least he eats up innings,” was like saying “Dan Shaughnessy eats up pages for the Boston Globe.” I think it was either Bill Simmons or the guys at FireJoeMorgan.com. Man, I miss those guys.
Anyway, I’ve heard the same thing about Dickey, he’s an innings eater.
I didn’t realize how ineffective Dickey has been because the only time I saw him was his victory over the Yanks last week. He pitched eight innings, gave up three hits and one run, while recording zero strikeouts. That’s something you don’t see often.
If only we had just signed Dickey. At least that would have only cost the team money. Instead…
:smack:
Dickey was not a free agent until 2014, and the team was determined to win in 2013 with the giant Marlins trade.
At the time - hard though this is to believe - the team was absolutely, totally committed to J.P. Arencibia as the starting catcher, to the point that they would trade anyone even vaguely perceived as a threat to him.
The devastation of the Oakland roster in the off season is paying off. They’ve got the worst record in the AL and have lost five straight games. Sigh.
Gotta trust Billy Beane. He’s a genius, you know.
Though their current record may be somewhat misleading a bit. The A’s have scored 153 runs and allowed 156 runs, which normally would translate into a W-L of 16-17. That doesn’t take away the extra 4 losses, but it does demonstrate that the team will likely play better than their current winning percentage.
Interesting…the Giants have so far scored 100 runs and allowed 124, which ‘should’ translate to a 13-19 record; instead, they’re somehow 16-16.
Oakland’s biggest problem is an absolutely horrific bullpen.
Anyone who serves up an 0-2 meatball like that to Sandoval AFTER he swung at a 50 foot pitch, needs to be fired.
Outside of Sonny Grey and Scott Kazmir, the entirely of Oakland’s pitching staff is horrific. Starting pitching wise, Jesse Hahn and Drew Pomeranz were supposed to be better (and were last year). I do wonder if replacing Josh Donaldson with Brett Lawrie at 3B, which really downgraded the defense, had a bigger effect than expected (though it seems Grey and Kazmir haven’t been as affected). It’s still early though.
That Scott Kazmir is back in MLB and actually pitching well is nothing short of amazing. That guy was toast 4 years ago after the Angels let him go. I believe his fastball was clocking in at low to mid 80s and his control was gone. He was stinking up the joint in Dominican and Puerto Rican leagues before coming back to the Indians 2 years ago. I can’t believe how good he’s been for Oakland last year and this year.
Maybe he was just overused, and needed to let his arm recover? It happens sometimes, and I suspect is partly why some guys come back even stronger after a Tommy John.
Good to see Kazmir back at his former level, anyway. Not many players get another chance like he did.
Brett Lawrie is a terrific defensive player. Maybe he’s off to a slow start but he can play third base as well as anyone.
What’s worrisome is that his hitting gets worse every year and he’s hurt all the time.
Hmm. King Felix is 6-0 and just became the 4th-youngest pitcher to reach 2,000 career K’s.
Giancarlo Stanton hit a ball very, very far at Dodger Stadium tonight.
He leads the team in strikeouts.
Fourth time’s the charm - after giving back one-run leads three times, the Royals finally held on to one to beat the Rangers 7-6 in 10, and stay a game ahead of Detroit.
Kris Bryant had no home runs until Saturday but now he has 3
now that the pressure is off he can finally UNLEASH