While C.C. Sabathia's trade value continues its assent with every strikeout, we're seeing a nearly perfect negative correlation with Paul Byrd. At one point, Byrd and then closer Joe Borowski were also considered tradable assets. Well, we've seen JoBo's designation; and while doing the same with Byrd would not happen, his performance is not exactly what is keeping him rostered at this point.
Another start for Byrd, another first inning home run. Cincy's Adam Dunn, I can understand as he is a 40+ home run guy year in and year out. Nick Punto, on the other hand? Inexcusable. It was his first home run in over 350 at-bats, dating back to last season. The Twins are the least powerful team in the league, and coupling a three-run shot by Delmon Young, we managed to make them look like the second coming of Mantle and Maris.
The road has just been brutal for Byrd, as he drops to 1-8 in 10 road starts. I'm not sure if it is just scheduling or what, but we need to start maximizing this guy's home starts if we are going to get anything for him in a trade market. Being "nice" can only garner so much in return.
One point of contention that I have with last night's game, that you may not hear about anywhere else came in the sixth inning. Ben Francisco leads off with a solo home run, making the game 5-3, Twins. Jhonny Peralta follows up with a double and Shin-Soo Choo walks. Two on, no outs. What would an in-game coach do at this point? If you said bunt the runners over, we're on the same page. But what did we do?
Casey Blake struck out looking, failing to even swing the bat in the entire AB. David Delluci flied out to center - which would have brought in a run, mind you. Then Ryan Garko slammed the door shut with a soft grounder to the third baseman, who simply had to step on the bag. Not to reach here, but Buscher would have had to at least make a throw given a bunt by Blake. Just saying.
Of course, none of that matters when your "new, revamped" bullpen gives up six earned runs in two and two-thirds innings. If its any consolation, Brian Slocum had been doing well out of the bullpen in Buffalo. Let's just hope he can transalte some of it to the big league level, as yesterday was not the best way to start.
Can Aaron Laffey get us off the schneid? Let's just hope he keeps the ball in the park.
Another start for Byrd, another first inning home run. Cincy's Adam Dunn, I can understand as he is a 40+ home run guy year in and year out. Nick Punto, on the other hand? Inexcusable. It was his first home run in over 350 at-bats, dating back to last season. The Twins are the least powerful team in the league, and coupling a three-run shot by Delmon Young, we managed to make them look like the second coming of Mantle and Maris.
The road has just been brutal for Byrd, as he drops to 1-8 in 10 road starts. I'm not sure if it is just scheduling or what, but we need to start maximizing this guy's home starts if we are going to get anything for him in a trade market. Being "nice" can only garner so much in return.
One point of contention that I have with last night's game, that you may not hear about anywhere else came in the sixth inning. Ben Francisco leads off with a solo home run, making the game 5-3, Twins. Jhonny Peralta follows up with a double and Shin-Soo Choo walks. Two on, no outs. What would an in-game coach do at this point? If you said bunt the runners over, we're on the same page. But what did we do?
Casey Blake struck out looking, failing to even swing the bat in the entire AB. David Delluci flied out to center - which would have brought in a run, mind you. Then Ryan Garko slammed the door shut with a soft grounder to the third baseman, who simply had to step on the bag. Not to reach here, but Buscher would have had to at least make a throw given a bunt by Blake. Just saying.
Of course, none of that matters when your "new, revamped" bullpen gives up six earned runs in two and two-thirds innings. If its any consolation, Brian Slocum had been doing well out of the bullpen in Buffalo. Let's just hope he can transalte some of it to the big league level, as yesterday was not the best way to start.
Can Aaron Laffey get us off the schneid? Let's just hope he keeps the ball in the park.
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