Yardbarker: Johan Santana

West Coast Talent Exodus- Shifting Power in Sports World

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:53:47 -0500

Harden's and Sabathia's move to the NL is part of a larger trend of NL pitching emerging superior to AL pitching. In basketball Brand's move to the Eastern conference is part of a larger trend of the Eastern Conference closing the talent gap on the Western conference.

Why Wait Until the Deadline, Acquire Bedard Now

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:40:09 -0500

Yesterday the biggest news in baseball was CC Sabathia (he's since dropped the ".." in his name), being dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects. Today's big news was Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin being dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Matt Murton and three prospects. With the trading deadline 24 days away, contending teams are already getting a jump start on landing an impact player for the remainder of the season. With other contenders beginning to take shape for a second half run, we turn to the Phillies. A team while in first place, hasn't been exactly playing good baseball (7-13 over their last 20 games). A team that has also been in the thick of trade rumors surrounding Sabathia, and mentioned as a destination for Harden. In typical Phillies fashion we're involved in the rumors, but have fallen short. Or have we? This is the season I truly believed we would make a splash before the trading deadline. Even General Partner David Montgomery came out and told the people of Philadelphia that this was the year he believed the Phillies had the team to go to the World Series, and would make the moves needed to put the Phillies over the top. Yet trades are made and the Phillies are not involved. While the Cubs and the Brewers get ace pitchers to fit behind their number #1's in the rotation we get Pat Gillick telling us the Phillies will make a deal but it'll probably be on their "B List". Who is on their "B List" is unknown, and it's going to stay that way. Gillick has a track record of not showing the press his hand. If one had to guess, pitcher on the top of this list are AJ Burnett, Randy Wolf, & Greg Maddux. While all these pitchers could give the Phillies a lift, the only one who could truly make an impact is Maddux and odds are he's not going to approve a trade to the East Coast (unless of course the destination is Atlanta). There's one more pitcher who's probably on that list. A pitcher who has the ability to make an immediate impact on this club. That pitcher is Erik Bedard. Rumors of the Phillies and Bedard have swirled for a few weeks now. Gillick's special assistant, Charlie Kerfeld, has been scouting Bedard, and Seattle scouts have been seen in Reading taking a look at prospects (they were there for Carlos Carrasco, who missed his start with a sore shoulder), and spent last weekend in Philadelphia. All isn't perfect with Bedard. He has turned an entire city against him in his short stay in Seattle. Reports have circulated that because of his lack of heart, distaste for the media, and his inablity to get along with teammates, are reason. This has also caused other teams to shy away from him. That is more reason for the Phillies to acquire him. Let's look at this a little deeper. - Bedard's perception that he has lack of heart stems from his inablity to go deep into games. Part of the reason Bedard hasn't gone deep into games is the amount of pitches he's thrown. While that's also a sign of getting into early trouble, the Mariners are also Top 5 in the American League in errors. Bedard also has said his shoulder has bothered him which is a concern, but at least he recognizes this and knows an injury will hurt him and his team in the long run. - His inability to get along with the media stems from the fact he's not a fan of the media. Bedard's made it clear he doesn't like to talk to them because they print whatever they want. We all know if you don't talk to the media, they'll paint you in a negative light. The theory that Bedard won't be able to handle the media here is Phila is silly as well. Steve Carlton refused to talk to the media. I'd say Lefty had a pretty good career here in Philadelphia. - Being a clubhouse cancer is a broad label. It's normally slapped on any player who demands a trade and appears disgruntled. It's no secret Bedard has been disgruntled. When he was in Baltimore he was on a rebuilding team. He wanted to win before he was to old to be a key piece. Seattle was supposed to be that destination. Unfortunately the Mariners are worse then the Orioles this season. Any player with a competitive bone in his obdy wants to win. Maybe he doesn't go about venting the best way, but it doesn't mean he has an issue with his teammates, and suddenly is a "cancer". Given the fact other teams have soured on him because of his perceived actions, the Phils need to get aggressive and make a move. Lets not forget, this past off-season, some analysts were saying teams would be better off acquiring Bedard over Johan Santana. The talent is there (some say if he didn't miss September with injury he would have been a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award). With Sabathia and Harden off the table, teams will overlook Bedard's negatives, and he'll begin to look like an attractive option. The Phillies need to act now and do what is needed to bring Bedard to Philly.

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/7

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:47 -0500

There is a new look to the Closer Report this week with expanded coverage of bullpen situations around baseball and rankings for the top fantasy closers and middle relievers. This week AccuScore analyst looks at the All-Star relievers, and has a problem with the selection of one player in particular. Also, the trade deadline is approaching so which closers could be swapping uniforms in the near future?

MLB Sets New Interleague Attendance Record

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:36:12 -0500

Major League Baseball has set new records for total and average attendance during Interleague Play (8,893,312 and 35,573, respectively), eclipsing the previous marks (8,795,939 and 34,905) set last season. It marks the third straight season that MLB has set new highs for attendance during Interleague Play and the fifth straight year that the total Interleague attendance has increased. One Interleague game still remains (the July 10th make-up of the June 26th NYY-PIT rainout). The 2008 Interleague average of 35,573 per game is 15.9 percent higher than this season’s current intraleague average of 30,689 per game. Since its inception in 1997, Interleague Play has drawn 12.5 percent more fans than intraleague games; Interleague Play has averaged 33,250 fans per game, compared to the intraleague average of 29,563 fans per game during the same span. Overall this season, MLB’s cumulative average attendance is 31,687 fans per game (38,784,809 fans over 1,224 dates), representing a 0.6 percent increase over the same date during the record-breaking 2007 season and currently putting MLB on track for a fifth consecutive year of record overall attendance. Thus far, the American League has posted 149-102 record in Interleague Play, marking the fifth straight season in which the A.L. has won the season-series and extending its all-time Interleague lead to 1,536-1,419 (.520). Eleven of the A.L.’s 14 Clubs finished over .500. A.L. Clubs collected a .275 batting average with 1,247 runs scored, 276 home runs and a 3.69 ERA, compared to the N.L.’s .251 batting average, 1,010 runs scored, 251 home runs and 4.56 ERA. With a 2.44 team ERA, the Minnesota Twins earned the top Interleague record with a 14-4 (.778) mark, followed by the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals, both of whom went 13-5 (.722). Overall, A.L. Central Clubs went 58-32 (.644) in Interleague Play, with four of its five Clubs going 12-6 or better. The New York Yankees, who were 10-7 in Interleague Play this year, have baseball’s best all-time Interleague record at 123-86 (.589), followed by the Oakland Athletics (10-8) at 123-89 (.580). The Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets tied for the N.L.’s best Interleague mark with 9-6 records. The Florida Marlins, who went 5-10 in Interleague Play this year, still have the National League’s best all-time Interleague record at 110-91 (.547). Interleague Play’s all-time statistical leaders include Albert Pujols with a .350 batting average; Derek Jeter with 278 hits; Jim Thome with 55 home runs; Carlos Delgado with 153 RBI; Mike Mussina with 21 wins; Johan Santana with a 2.49 ERA; and Mariano Rivera with 55 saves. The Interleague leaders in 2008 were Aaron Miles of the St. Louis Cardinals with a .463 batting average; Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox with 36 hits; Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox with eight home runs and 23 RBI; Mark Buehrle (4-0) of the White Sox, Andy Sonnanstine (4-0) of the Tampa Bay Rays and A.J. Burnett (4-1) of the Toronto Blue Jays with four wins; Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves with 0.00 ERA (min.: 1.0 IP per team’s games played); and George Sherrill of the Baltimore Orioles and Joakim Soria of the Kansas City Royals with seven saves apiece. Select Read More to see additional statistical data on 2008 Interleague Play.

Fantasy History of WHIP

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:30:21 -0500

The Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame analyzes the fantasy history the WHIP statistic in the 7th installment of a series investigating statistical trends over the past 3 decades. Interestingly, the elite pitchers continue to improve their WHIP's despite the increased offensive levels of the 1990's and 2000's.

MLB Fantasy Minute - Week 14

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:31:49 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon breaks out his famed MLB Fantasy Minute and breaks down the MLB's top five stories. Low batting average does not mean low fantasy production. Dodgers youngsters are making their case. And is K-Rod a fantasy MVP? Mr. Yoon has all if it covered and much more.

Phillies rally to win 3-2; Happ holds his own

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:35:48 -0500

Shane Victorino knocked in Pedro Feliz with a walk-off RBI single in the ninth, as the Phillies and their steadfast bullpen overcame a 2-0 deficit to outlast Johan Santana and the rival Mets at Citizens Bank Park. With his pitch count still at 95, Mets skipper Jerry Manuel elected to remove Santana, who had been dominant except for a pair of Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell RBI singles in the sixth. With Duaner Sanchez on in relief, Pedro Feliz roped...

Game chat: Phils host Mets in first of four at CBP

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:35:48 -0500

Left-hander J.A. Happ (0-0, 0.00) gets the call when the Phillies clash with Johan Santana (7-7, 3.01) and the rival Mets. First pitch is 7:05. The Phillies (47-39) lead New York (42-43) by 4.5 games in the National League East standings. Santana has not won a game since June 1, but has been the recipient almost no run support. Happ makes his first start since his recall from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he was 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA and...

Game chat: Phils seek sweep; Happ joins rotation

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:35:48 -0500

Cole Hamels (8-5, 3.38) has the ball when the Phils try to make it three-out-of-three against rookie Jair Jurrjens (8-3, 2.94 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, the Phils have finally announced that 25-year-old lefty J.A. Happ will start tomorrow night's game against Johan Santana and the Mets, per the Inquirer. With Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Happ went 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA and 104 strikeouts, which leads the International League. The former 2004 third-round pick from Northwestern has pitched well...

Rays Whispers...

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:46:08 -0500

The Rays currently have the best record in baseball. The pitching is doing their job and the hitting is coming through at the right times. Maybe it is the year for the Tampa Bay Rays, they certainly have been patient enough. Rumors are spreading across the country that the Rays may break their status quo and make a trade for a big name player. CC Sabathia's name has come as one possible option for the Rays, but would he make a significant difference? Sabathia is 6-8 with a 3.79 ERA so far this season, but he would probably cost the Rays a top prospect or two. He is a free agent at the end of the season though and will probably ask for Johan Santana money. The Rays are in place to invest that kind of money in a player like Sabathia.

The Rays are also interested in pitcher Brian Fuentes. Adding Fuentes would help at the closer spot while Percival is down, but he would also help in the playoffs when Percival returns. He is experienced in the later innings and could be the player in the bullpen that makes all the difference.

MLB Buy 'n Sell (7/6)

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:41:41 -0500

Screaming Sports' Billy Smith break out MLB Buy 'n Sell and runs down a short list of players you should be buying or selling. Jon Lester? Believe it or not, it's time to sell. Ryan Braun? Grab him while he's hot!

Here's Hoping: Go America

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:17:32 -0500

Here's Hoping is a list of things we want to see happen over the weekend, but mainly an excuse to post a weekly picture of a drunk athlete. This week it's Sawx second basemen/leprechaun/Holiday Inn fan Dustin Pedroia...

Phillies Saturday Stocking Stuffers

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:42:30 -0500

Any Phillies win is good, but a Phils win against the rival Mets with Johan Santana on the mound is extra sweet. Putting the sprinkles on top of the chocolate dipped ice cream cone was the snazzy Stars & Stripes caps for the 4th of July "Welcome Back Veterans" theme. Benson Update: Here's some breaking news, Kris Benson got lit up yet again in a minor league rehab assignment. He's now started 4 games lasting all of 15.2 innings while allowing minor leaguers to bat .358 off of him that has resulted in 3 losses and a 9.19 era. I think it's safe to assume Benson is not the answer to the Myers Dilemma. For the full article that includes more on the "Myers Dilemma", and update on RJ Swindle, and a vote for Pat Burrell for All-Star, click on the URL.

Phillies Phlashback Phriday: Ten Years Later

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:58:55 -0500

The year was 1998 and I just graduated from high school and began college. It was also the year the Phils finished 75-87 with Terry Francona at the helm. Looking back over the Phils from 10 years ago I notice not one player is on the current squad and in fact only 6 players remain in the game today. Take a walk down memory lane as I look at the lineup and pitching staff of the 1998 Philadelphia Phillies, with some stallwart names such as Curt Schilling, Scott Rolen, Mike Lieberthal, Rico Brogna, Doug Glanville, and Bobby Abreu. Also, click on the URL for a Braves/Phils recap as well as a look at the upcoming Mets series. JA Happ vs. Johan Santana tonight!

You Call This PITCHING?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:54:41 -0500

The Mets are allowing over 5 runs a game since Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson were fired.