Deadline gone: AL Central loads up for pennant run
by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2009 5:17 PM EDT
34 comments
The deadline just passed over an hour ago, and man sources have now confirmed no additional deals have been made by the Twins. The AL Central was extremely active today, as all thee contenders got a piece for the stretch run and the Indians traded Victor Martinez to the Red Sox for a pair or talented young pitchers.
The Tigers got lefty Jarrod Washburn this morning, who will provide solid inning-eating for their rotation.
The Twins then jumped in and got Orlando Cabrera, a moderate upgrade in the middle infield who hits like Brendan Harris, but fields more like Nick Punto. Cabrera isn't a huge upgrade, but combined with a resurgent Mark Grudzielanik could add a win or two to the Twins' final total.
Then, at the last minute, and seemingly without warning, the White Sox made good on a season of innuendos and finally grabbing Jake Peavy from the Padres for a large package of prospects. Peavy might not affect the division race heavily this season, he's on the DL with ankle problems for as much as another month, but he's signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013. Peavy/Buerhle will be a tough 1-2 for the Twins to face for years to come.
Thoughts? With all three teams within 2.5 games of the division crown, who's the new favorite in the Central?
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Peavy
I’m not sure what Chicago gave up to get him, but they could be in for a rude awakening with Peavy moving out of Petco and out of the National League. Double whammy there.
by Adam Peterson on Jul 31, 2009 5:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
re. Peavy
Padres get: Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter, from what I heard. So, they didn’t give up much as far as I can tell. But Peavy is on the DL for a while yet.
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
by sw mn guy on Jul 31, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I belive
Poreda is very highly regarded, i think. He’s dominating in AAA right now. One of Richard and Carter is very promising too, and another is already holding his own in the majors in the rotation.
We’ll see how this plays out. Peavy is a big name, but this MIGHT not be as good as advertised to the Sox.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've heard of one of those guys
Dexter Carter was one of the best kick returners in Tecmo Super Bowl.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
by BeefMaster on Jul 31, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Detroit
Looks formidable to me. Washburn is a tough lefty to add to their already solid starting rotation. Plus they have the advantage of a lead going into the final part of the season. I like our move, but the irrationally optimistic part of me is still hoping for a post-deadline trade for a pitcher. I know, I know…but I still think we’re in this thing!
by dctwin on Jul 31, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I take it as a bad sign that
instead of talking about what the team we root for did, we have 5 posts about the other teams in our division.
I’m indifferent about OCab, but concerned about whether the Twins really did anything to improve their chances.
by caluofmn on Jul 31, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tigers & Sox have more urgency this year...
Both teams are considerably older than we are.
Looks like the Sox gave up a ton for Peavy and it’ll take a while for him to come back.
Tigers deal I’m more worried about.
by DavidRF on Jul 31, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tiggers
now have 3 of the top 7 pitchers in the AL, at least as far as ERA goes.
by guinness junky on Jul 31, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually
With Lee gone, its 3 of the top 6….
by guinness junky on Jul 31, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Twins improved their chances by a good amount
if you compare Punto – Casilla at SS – 2B to Cabrera – Punto.
So far in 2009, batting runs above average and UZR/150:
Punto: -11.7 batting, -2.4 defense SS, +15.4 defense 2B
Casilla: -12.5 batting, -23.2 defense 2B
Cabrera: -8.0 batting, -9.6 defense SS
Over the rest of the season (say 50 games), if each player performed just as he has so far, they would produce the following:
Punto SS: -5.3 batting -0.8 defense = -6.1 runs
Casila 2B: -6.2 batting, -7.7 defense = -13.9 runs
Punto 2B: -5.3 batting, +5.1 defense = -0.2 runs
Cabrera SS: -4.0 batting, -3.2 defense = -7.2 runs
Old value: -20.0 runs
New value: -7.4 runs
Getting a 12.6 run improvement at this point is huge. Obviously, there is no guarantee that each guy performs at his rate thus far, but they’ve all been poor. Cabrera could pick it up just as easily as Casilla…after all, he’s been in the +30 RAR range for the past few years.
by Adam Peterson on Jul 31, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
Exactly, that’sabout a win from here on out: huge in a close race.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather we'd gotten pitching
There had to be someone available out there. Maybe the pricetag for the obvious saviors was too rich for our blood, but there had to be some way to shake loose Bell, Wuertz or whomever the Pittsburghs have left…
'Right now, I am going to urinate' -Tom Kelly
by sw mn guy on Jul 31, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tyler Ladendorf
He was batting .322 this season.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=ladend001tyl
by benhertz on Jul 31, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 34th round of the 2006 June Draft, the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round of the 2007 June Draft and the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round of the 2008 June Draft.
by benhertz on Jul 31, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
traded to the Oakland A's
in July 2009.
by 33MorneauMVP on Jul 31, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just 15 games in Beloit
Hicks is struggling in Beloit too, but Hicks is two years younger.
Sickels said the deal was “interesting”, I’d like to hear him elaborate more, but looks like we’ll have to wait until tomorrow for that.
Other places I’ve read say that Ladendork was unlikely to stay at SS, that he projects to be more of a 3B type. We’ll see.
It’ll be 2012 before we’ll have any idea on this guy. :-)
by DavidRF on Jul 31, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's also 21, so succeeding in rookie ball isn't surprising or impressive.
He’s got serious athletic talent, but he’s totally unproven at this point.
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Peavy trade
Three of those pitchers will be on the Padres major league roster for six years. Peavy will be on the White Sox major league roster for 2+ years.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Jul 31, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
True
This is right. if Peavy dpesn’t transition very well from a pitchers park in the NL to a hitters park in the AL, which is a huge question mark, this isn’t a good trade for the Sox. Kenny Williams takes another big risk…
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
by AdamOnFirst on Jul 31, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your master theory
and analysis is Peavy moves from the NL to AL so it isn’t a good trade? Lol. Ummm okay. Why is he exactly a huge risk? The Sox lose 3 Richard starts before Peavy pitches (They won the first last night). The Sox can afford the cash.
They gave up 1 upper tier prospect.
They start with a rotation of Buerhle, Peavy, Floyd and Danks for the next 2 years. Give me a break.
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
he said that Peavy may not transition from a pitchers park in the National League (Petco) to a hitters park in the American League (U.S. Cellular). We do not doubt that Peavy will still be a good pitcher, but has Peavy benefited from the Petco Park (extreme pitchers park) the last few years? Yes, I think he has.
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 1, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course he has
Again so what. For those who really cared to do the work he still likely to be a very good and valuable pitcher for the White Sox for 3 years. The Sox are not the Twins payroll wise. They don’t need him to outproduce his contract. Just stay close.
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If all three don't equal Peavy
So what.
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes they do
Three guys can pitch three times the innings. Not all the innings will be as high of quality.
My question is, how are the Pale Hosers going to replace RIchards’ innings while Peavy nurses a bum ankle?
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Aug 1, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its 3 starts maybe 4
They won the first last night.
The other 2 are against the Angels (at home)
And against the Royals (also at home.)
The Sox are skipping the 5th spot on a couple of off days.
When did Richard become Cy Young? 2 starts ago he was being taken out of the rotation.
Did you really just say 3 guys pitch 3 times the innings?
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cmath
said that 3 pitchers can pitch 3 times the innings…not will. The fact of the matter is this: It is highly unlikely that Peavy will benefit the Sox this year, but the Sox have him for 3-4 years! I am sure Peavy will help them in that span. The Sox now have two legit aces with Buerhle and Peavy…the Twins have one (possibly) in Slowey.
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 1, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on Sept and Oct
but I get your point.
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also me jumping on the other guy had little to do
with taking issue on Peavy’s worth this year. It had more to do with his assessment that it was a bad trade and huge gamble. Its not.
"Oh well back to work"
by Tdogg on Aug 1, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a bad trade for either team
The Pads get pitching depth, which they obviously need. The Sox get a front-line starter, which everyone wants.
I don’t think Peavy will be as good in Cingular (and some of the AL bandboxes like Arlington and Bronxville) as he was in Petco. But he’s a top three starter for any team in the AL. So it will help them long term. Not sure about this year, unless they make the playoffs.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Aug 1, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Detroit is the short-term winner
It hard to say who is the long term winner; it could be the Twins or the Pale Hose, but Washburn is an absolute Twin killer.
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Aug 1, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Depends on if Washburn comes back to earth
He’s outperformed his FIP and xFIP by about 2 runs. That plus getting out of Safeco could mean a big market correction…at least this is what I’m hoping for.
by Adam Peterson on Aug 1, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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