The Rochester Report

by Andersklasen on May 26, 2008 7:53 PM EDT

The Redwings are currently in fifth place in the North Division of the International League. They sit 13 games behind first place Scranton.Rochester went 2-4 last week, and have an overall record of 19-32.

The most talked about prospect in the Redwings' organization is obviously Francisco Liriano. He had a solid outing last Tuesday, pitching seven innings, scattering eight hits, and allowing two runs in a 2-3 loss to Syracuse. Liriano has had a total of four starts since he was sent down to Triple-A, and has compiled a 2.77 ERA in 26 innings of work. He is getting more velocity in his pitches, as well as more control. 60 percent of his pitches have been strikes during his minor league tenure.

Philip Humber continues to struggle. He was a key part of the Santana trade, and Minnesota has a lot invested in him. He has pitched 12 games for the Redwings, and is 1-5 with 5.89 ERA. He has a 1.80 WHIP in 44.1 innings of work, and has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 24/28. Not surprisingly, opponents are batting .317 against him. He dropped the ball last Thursday, giving up seven runs (six earned) in 3.2 innings during a loss to Pawtucket.

Another key part of the Santana trade with the Mets was Kevin Mulvey. He isn't preforming as well as the Twins had hoped, as he is 2-6 with a 4.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 39K/20BB, and a .290 average through 43.1 innings of work.

Tim Lahey, Rochester's closer, is doing an average job so far this season. Mariano Gomez is doing the best job of the pitching staff, as he has an outstanding 2.45 ERA, and 23K/6BB in 29.1 innings of work.

The bats aren't faring much better. With the recent call-ups and injuries of quite a few Redwings, there isn't much in this lineup. Denard Span was hitting very well before his brief call-up, batting .327/.431/.471. He also has 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

Darnell McDonald is the second-best batter for Rochester, batting .314/.372/.559. Also worth mentioning is Jose Morales, who went 9 for 20 this week and is now batting .294/.314/.382.

This week's schedule includes a four game homestand against Charlotte, and four games against Scranton. They then head to Buffalo for the beginning of a seven game road trip.

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I really was upset with the return your team got for Santana,

Ive personally seen both Humber and Mulvey pitch. I live in Roch cha cha and they dont look anything more than bullpen pieces. That really sucks, but being a wings fan I really hope they turn it around.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 27, 2008 9:52 PM EDT 0 recs

well

That may be true, but Gomez is almost making the deal worth our while alone. If both Humber and Mulvey develop, it will be a bonus.

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by Andersklasen on May 28, 2008 11:35 AM EDT up 0 recs

Gomez plus Guerra

Is a better return than the Twins would get if they let him walk and get draft compensation.

The rumored Red Sox deal kind of spoiled the milk. If either Lester or Ellsbury plus Lowrie and Masterson was ever on the table, those would be better returns than the Twins got. But we just don’t know if those were on the table. Peter Gammons seems to think a formal offer was made. The Red Sox and Twins deny it. So we just don’t know.

I’m convinced that the two teams exchanged medical files on players, but no formal offer was there. And the only formal offer the Twins got was from the Mets. Like I said, that is better than the alternative even without Humber and Mulvey. The way I see it, if we get anything out of them, either through trade or plying time, it’s bonus.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on May 28, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up 0 recs

Well,

what about the rumor that Texas was involved. We have such a deep farm that Im really suprised your GM pulled the plug on that as soon as he did. His feeling, as I recall, were that Santana wouldn’t negotiate a deal with the Rangers so he pulled the plug on that deal.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 28, 2008 12:19 PM EDT 0 recs

Santana was in control

Every time we heard a rumor about a team west of the Hudson River, it was quickly quashed by his agent. Several sources reported that he agreed in principle to be dealt to one of three teams: Red Sox, Yankees and Mets. Other teams inquired and backed off as soon as they knew negotiations would just be a waste of time.

And let’s not forget that this deal came within an eyelash of being nixed by Santana over a $200,000 difference. Boy am I glad he agreed that he could live with $137 million in base pay. Think of the distractions this team had with Hunter’s impending free agency. It would be the Santana circus all year if he were still here.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on May 28, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up 0 recs