Lineups/Pitching Staff | MLB Trade Deadline

That lineup packs some punch. If a couple of the young guys, Maybin or one of the first baseman, come into their own, and the starting staff stays healthy, the Marlins could be pretty good next season.

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January 16, 2010

Marlon Byrd to Bat Fifth in Cubs’ Lineup?

Johnny @ 4:30 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff

Chicago Cubs‘ manager Lou Piniella said he’s considering using outfielder Marlon Byrd in the fifth hole this season. The top of the Cubs’ order would look as follows:

1. Kosuke Fukudome or Ryan Theriot

2. Fukudome/Theriot

3. Derek Lee

4. Aramis Ramirez

5. Marlon Byrd

6. Alfonso Soriano

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April 24, 2009

Minor Moves and News From 4/24/09

Johnny @ 8:57 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff, News, Roster

The Oakland Athletics demoted right-hander Sean Gallagher in hopes of getting the pitcher more playing time.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim placed left-handed pitcher Darren Oliver on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left triceps and recalled right-handed pitcher Matt Palmer.
The Chicago Cubs switched up their lineup tonight. Ryan Theriot will be batting leadoff with Alfonso Soriano in the three-hole.
Cleveland Indians top prospect Adam Miller will have season-ending, and possibly career ending, surgery on his pitching hand’s middle finger. Recovery time is estimated to be between 6 and 9 months.
The Atlanta Braves placed outfielder Garrett Anderson on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Brandon Jones.
The Boston Red Sox activated outfielder Jonathan Van Every from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Chris Carter.

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April 21, 2009

Miscellaneous News and Notes

Johnny @ 7:54 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff, News, Notes

The New York Mets started utility man Fernando Tatis at second base on Sunday in order to get the bench player some more at-bats. The occasion marked Tatis‘ first time playing the position.
Mark Sheldon gives his take on whether he thinks Micah Owings is better suited as a pitcher or hitter.
The New York Yankees have reached an impasse in negotations with Cuban defector Felix Perez. The Yankees also have interest in 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Noel Arguelles, another Cuban defector.
A Florida high-school senior named Patrick Schuster threw four consecutive no-hitters for his high school baseball team. Schuster’s fastball tops out at 90 mph. The lefty has signed on to play at the University of Florida, but has not ruled out going straight to professional baseball.

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April 16, 2009

Notes on Rotations, Draft, Keppinger

Johnny @ 11:58 am — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff, News, Notes, Projections and Predictions, Transactions (trades, free agent signings)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are considering turning to left-hander Darren Oliver to start a game on the mound.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will skip Yusmeiro Petit’s next start. Petit took Brandon Webb’s place in the team’s rotation.
The St. Louis Cardinals will have right-handed pitcher P.J. Walters make his major-league debut on Friday.
MLB.com previewed their next set of draft prospects and give us an update on Stephen Strasburg.
Later this week, the Cincinnati Reds will announce the player-to-be-named-later they will receive from the Houston Astros in the trade for Jeff Keppinger.
Forbes ranked each baseball stadium based on intangibles, accessibility, food, fan participation, and affordability.

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April 8, 2009

LaRussa being LaRussa

Johnny @ 12:42 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff

Surprisingly, Tony LaRussa had right-handed hitter Brian Barden as the St. Louis Cardinals opening day third base facing left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm. The move came as a surprise considering David Freese, another right-handed hitter, was named the team’s starting third baseman. The next day the Cardinals faced a right-handed pitcher, but this time, Joe Thurston got the start at the hot-corner. So what gives? Why isn’t Freese starting?

This is just another example of Tony LaRussa doing what Tony LaRussa does. He plays the matchups, and he uses all of his players. Against right-handed pitchers, LaRussa riddles the lineup with left-handed hitters. Against left-handed pitcher, the lineup is full of right-handed hitters.

lineup vs. right-handers
1. Skip Schumaker L
2. Colby Rasmus L
3. Albert Pujols R
4. Chris Duncan L
5. Khalil Greene R
6. Rick Ankiel L
7. Yadier Molina R
8. Joe Thurston L

lineup vs. lefthanders
1. Brendan Ryan R
2. Rick Ankiel L
3. Albert Pujols R
4. Khalil Greene R
5. Ryan Ludwick R
6. Yadier Molina R
7. Chris Duncan L
8. Brian Barden/David Freese R

Freese will get a good amount of playing time until Troy Glaus returns from his injury. He’ll just have to share that time with two other players. Freese might even be lucky enough to start against some right-handers.

David Freese gets his first start on Wednesday against Pittsburgh left-hander Zach Duke.

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April 7, 2009

What are the Mariners thinking?

Johnny @ 7:23 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff

The Seattle Mariners named Brandon Morrow the team’s closer this spring. Not a bad idea, that is, until we found out the move is permanent. Morrow, 24, has a strong arm and a world of potential, confining him to the bullpen deters the impact Morrow can have on a game. Apparently it wasn’t enough to handicap one young pitcher’s potential. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has made the decision to move the team’s top pitching prospect, Phillippe Aumont, to the bullpen.

What is Zduriencik thinking?

You don’t turn potentially dominant young pitchers into relievers before they have a chance to start. You turn washed up/injury prone starters into relievers. It’s not like the team will need Aumont for a late season playoff push. Let the kid stretch his arm out, and if he struggles, only then do you turn him into a reliever.

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Notes on Clement, Gaudin, and More

Johnny @ 4:52 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff, Notes, Roster, Transactions (trades, free agent signings)

Right-handed pitcher and former all-star Matt Clement is calling it quits after 9 seasons. The 34-year-old failed to make the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a minor league deal with them this offseason.
The Chicago Cubs released pitcher Chad Gaudin. The Cubs acquired Gaudin along with Rich Harden from Oakland last season.
The Chicago White Sox signed left-handed reliever Jimmy Gobble to a minor league deal.
Outfielder Jonny Gomes did not make the Cincinnati Reds 25-man roster.
The minor league affiliates for the Texas Rangers have set their starting pitching rotations.

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April 6, 2009

Blue Jays Lineup

Johnny @ 3:37 pm — Filed under: Lineups/Pitching Staff

The Toronto Blue Jays opening day lineup is set:

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: Roy Halladay

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