2014 MLB Thread

[SirHumper]

Torii Hunter belted a two-run homer, Austin Jackson added a solo shot and the Detroit Tigers escaped Chase Field with a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. Miguel Cabrera drove in the eventual game-winning run in the seventh inning, and the Tigers held on for their second straight win after losing three in a row to the Indians. Justin Verlander scattered three runs, six hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings in winning his 13th consecutive decisions against NL teams.

Note: Verlander improved to 24-2 in his career against the Senior Circuit ...

 

[Red001]

Tigers acquire Rangers Closer Joakim Soria to help the bullpen

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Tigers acquire Rangers Closer Joakim Soria to help the bullpen

 

[SirHumper]

Tigers acquire Rangers Closer Joakim Soria to help the bullpen

- - - Updated - - -

Tigers acquire Rangers Closer Joakim Soria to help the bullpen

Yes, the Tigers received insurance for the back end of their bullpen by acquiring closer Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers Wednesday night. The Rangers, who have the worst record (40-61) in the majors, will obtain pitching prospects Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson. Soria has pitched to a 1-3 mark and a 2.70 ERA with 17 saves in 35 appearances this season. Not exactly earth shattering numbers, but better than what the Tigers currently have in Nathan. Lifetime, the 30-year-old Soria has compiled a 15-18 mark with a 2.51 ERA and 177 saves in 359 contests. He began his career in Kansas City in 2007 and was signed as a free agent by the Rangers prior to the 2013 season. By acquiring Soria, the Tigers have a team option of $7 million on him for the 2015 season. The deal for the Tigers is big considering closer Joe Nathan has an ERA of 5.89 this season. He's saved 20 games in 39 appearances, but has also blown five save chances. That's a big difference from 2013 when Nathan had a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves and just three blown chances over 67 appearances.

Knebel, a Tigers first round draft choice, has pitched in eight games this year for Detroit and was 0-0 with a 6.23 ERA. The Rangers announced he will be optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Thompson, who is also a first round pick and just 20-years-old and a right-hander, has a combined mark of 6-4 with a 3.13 ERA in 17 games having pitched as high as Double-A Erie. The Rangers said Thompson will be assigned from Double-A Erie to Double-A Frisco.

It was a lot for the Tigers to give up (remember John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander back in 1987). Alexander came in and won 9 straight games and was largely responsible for the Tigers winning their division. However, he wasn’t much help in the post season, going 0-2. with a 10.00 ERA against the Twins. Minnesota went on to win the World Series in 87’. The pressure is on Mr. Dombrowski, giving up two top draft picks in Knebel and Thompson. The Tigers better win the AL pennant and give a good showing in the World Series. Deals such as this can come back to haunt you in the future.

In summary, given the current status of their bullpen, a move had to be made. I still believe they need another arm or two, perhaps a lefthander to replace either Phil Coke or Ian Krol.

 

[Jagger69]

Doesn't appear that David Price will be going anywhere considering the roll that the Rays are on right now. They just swept the Cardinals on the road in Busch Stadium and have won 7 games in a row. They are only 4.5 games out of the last AL wild card spot so they are definitely in the race. If they move Price now, what sort of message does it send to the rest of the players concerning the desire to win this season? I don't see him leaving. They need him for the stretch run if they want to make the playoffs. Joe Maddon is a terrific manager....always seems to get the best out of his roster no matter what.

 

[BCT]

Doesn't appear that David Price will be going anywhere considering the roll that the Rays are on right now. They just swept the Cardinals on the road in Busch Stadium and have won 7 games in a row. They are only 4.5 games out of the last AL wild card spot so they are definitely in the race. If they move Price now, what sort of message does it send to the rest of the players concerning the desire to win this season? I don't see him leaving. They need him for the stretch run if they want to make the playoffs. Joe Maddon is a terrific manager....always seems to get the best out of his roster no matter what.

The Rays still have one more year of control so there is no rush to trade him yet.

 

[Red001]

at this point Price won't be moved until the off-season.
i suspect August will also be busy this year

 

[SirHumper]

Max Scherzer got the better of the up-and- coming Garrett Richards as the Detroit Tigers snuck past the Angels, 6-4, in the opener of a four-game series. Scherzer (12-3) struck out 11 over seven innings and needed a late rally to earn the victory after giving up three runs on six hits. Nick Castellanos hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth, and Ian Kinsler knocked in a pair for the AL Central-leading Tigers, winners in four of their last five.

 

[bobjustbob]

Mets to Rockies: Let’s talk Tulowitzki, Gonzalez trade.

http://nypost.com/2014/07/24/mets-to-rockies-lets-talk-tulowitzki-cargo-trades/

Consider that only pitching will be available in the coming free agent market. The Rocks can unload these 2 big contracts and pick from the Mets attractive crop of young arms. The Mets keep promising us next year so why not start now? Citi Field is more like Citi Morgue. They've been trying anything from $28 field seats to no-added-fee ticket promotions to get asses into seats. Don't let that 65%, 27k average fool you unless season ticket holders are dressing up as empty seats. If a move isn't made then the rest of their 33 home games are going to be speckled with 9k through the turnstiles.

 

[SirHumper]

Efren Navarro hit his first career home run and Matt Shoemaker (Eastern Michigan) tossed seven scoreless innings, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the third contest of a four-game set on Saturday. Shoemaker (8-3), surrendered just three hits and struck out five batters in his first career start against the Tigers. Shoemaker is the first Michigan born starting pitcher to earn a win against Detroit since Derek Lowe did so as a member of the Dodgers on June 6, 2005.

 

[Jagger69]

Efren Navarro hit his first career home run and Matt Shoemaker (Eastern Michigan) tossed seven scoreless innings, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the third contest of a four-game set on Saturday. Shoemaker (8-3), surrendered just three hits and struck out five batters in his first career start against the Tigers. Shoemaker is the first Michigan born starting pitcher to earn a win against Detroit since Derek Lowe did so as a member of the Dodgers on June 6, 2005.

The Angels are becoming a very dangerous team. They ought to with all the money Moreno has spent on that roster. He'll be paying Pujols until he's 80 years old.

 

[Jagger69]

I just can't get used to A.J. Pierzynski in a Cardinal uniform. It's almost as weird as Jim Edmonds in a Cubs uni. :1orglaugh

 

[barebeaverlover]

I just can't get used to A.J. Pierzynski in a Cardinal uniform. It's almost as weird as Jim Edmonds in a Cubs uni. :1orglaugh

My sympathys to you Jagger. Hes a piece of work

 

[pool_hustler]

Vin Scully to return in 2015! :clap: :glugglug: artysml:

So glad to hear this.
Of course it's inevitable, but nevertheless it'll be heartbreaking when Scully calls it a career.
What a great gentleman, and hands down the finest sports broadcaster of all time :bowdown:

 

[SirHumper]

Summing up the Tigers bullpen woes in a word, disappointing.

Last night, Joakim Soria entered the game in the 7th inning with one out, the bases loaded and the White Sox leading 3-2. However, our new lights out closer in just his second game since being acquired from Texas, gave up a four consecutive hits, starting with Adam Eaton's single. Alexei Ramirez then split the gap in right-center for a bases clearing double. Then Jose Abreu homered to left for two more runs, followed by Adam Dunn's solo shot to right. After all was said and done the White Sox pushed 7 runs across the plate putting the game out of reach. With forty thousand hard working paying customers in the stands, this type of performance is simply unacceptable. Soria recorded just one out and surrendered six hits in all. It was his career single worst performance.

My one criticism of Tigers skipper,Brad Ausmus: Soria faced seven batters and recorded just one out. Why the hell did he leave him in so long? It was obvious to me and everybody else that Soria just didn’t have it last night. All of his pitches were up in the strike zone with come hit me signs written all over them. I never thought I would say this… but I wonder what Jim Leyland is doing these days?

Note to Dave Dombrowski: Stop acquiring lights out closers from Texas (Joe Nathan and Joakim Soria), they just aren’t that good.

 

[Jagger69]

Vin Scully to return in 2015! :clap: :glugglug: artysml:

So glad to hear this.
Of course it's inevitable, but nevertheless it'll be heartbreaking when Scully calls it a career.
What a great gentleman, and hands down the finest sports broadcaster of all time :bowdown:

My first thought was to attempt to try and refute your claim (in bold). Then I couldn't think of anyone. I believe you are correct. He's an artist without peer....a delight to the ears.

 

[SirHumper]

The trading deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. July 31st.

Today, The St. Louis Cardinals acquired pitcher Justin Masterson from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for outfield prospect James Ramsey. Masterson, has gone just 4-6 with a 5.51 earned run average over 19 starts this season. He has been sidelined since July 7 thanks to right knee inflammation. His National League debut is scheduled for Saturday August 2nd against Milwaukee.

 

[Jagger69]

The trading deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. July 31st.

Today, The St. Louis Cardinals acquired pitcher Justin Masterson from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for outfield prospect James Ramsey. Masterson, has gone just 4-6 with a 5.51 earned run average over 19 starts this season. He has been sidelined since July 7 thanks to right knee inflammation. His National League debut is scheduled for Saturday August 2nd against Milwaukee.

As a Cardinal fan, my reaction is....

 

[Red001]

Masterson could be a decent move since he's willing to pitch in the bullpen as well as start and in the play-offs that means a roster spot vs being left off and as long as he doesn't pitch to left handers from the bullpen he will be fine

 

[Jagger69]

Masterson could be a decent move since he's willing to pitch in the bullpen as well as start and in the play-offs that means a roster spot vs being left off and as long as he doesn't pitch to left handers from the bullpen he will be fine

Despite last night's shellacking, we don't need bullpen help. Plus, the guy has been injured. Ramsey was a "good" prospect who will still be hitting long after the Cardinals are done with Masterson. I dunno....just seem like a weak half-measure by Mozeliak. I think we may be too weak at the plate to compete for a playoff spot this season.

 

[SirHumper]

Nick Castellanos had four RBIs, and his three-run homer was key to a six-run first inning, as the Detroit Tigers dominated the Chicago White Sox, 7-2, at Comerica Park. Max Scherzer (13-3) yielded five hits and a run over seven innings to win his fifth consecutive decision over a seven-start span. He hasn't lost since June 17 against Kansas City.

Scherzer, the first AL pitcher to reach 13 victories this season, has won nine of his last 10 decisions against the White Sox.