Crickets. Nothing is really going on. After last week’s flurry of activity, it is all quiet on the Free Agent/Trade front. I think it is safe to assume that the Bay/Holliday sweepstakes will not be over until sometime in January. There may be minor free agent signings over the next couple of days, but nothing major.

Surprisingly, this article is not about me.

Though I admit, I find it more exciting to find out where the under the radar free agents end up as opposed to the high priced stars. We all know Jason Bay is going to a handful of places. Same with Matt Holliday. Its guys like Orlando Hudson and Ben Sheets who will be interesting and it is those types of signings that make the difference.

Orlando Hudson signed a 1 year deal with the Dodgers and suffice to say, he was a major part of the Dodgers offense for most of the season. Certainly the Dodgers got a great return on their one year investment.

For example, Jayson Werth signed a one year $850,000 deal with the Phillies prior to the 2007 season. I think that has worked out quite nicely for the Phillies. Adam Dunn signed with the Nationals last season for 2 yrs/$20 million, which while high, isnt too bad considering the Nationals received 38 HR’s, 105 RBI, and a .267 average for their money. If I remember correctly, no one wanted to pay him because of the cost/value differential. Think the Braves or Mets wouldnt mind having that kind of production in the lineup?

The point is, unless you are the Yankees, and you fill almost every position on your roster with a big name free agent signing, teams win and lose from 1-40 on the roster. This means that you have to maximize your budget and find the best deals. Typically those deals are for guys, like Ben Sheets, who may end up being the Comeback Player of the Year next season. We could be talking in July saying things like, can you believe the Rangers signed Sheets for only $3 million for one season, when Sheets has a 10-2 record with a 3.13 ERA. Or how could a team NOT sign Matt Capps after he gets his 20th save.

I know it is a fairly obvious point but I think it often gets overlooked, especially during free agency.  Many fans overlook the value guys.  Sure Mark DeRosa or Adam Kennedy may not be stars, but what they add to their new teams might be more valuable than adding merely one big star.  Every season it seems like players who no one wanted in December end up playing a big role during the season.  Jeff Weaver for the Dodgers is another example.  Pedro Martinez for the Phillies. 

 

Does anyone want to sign me? I will bring my attractive wife!

Here is a list of guys, in no particular order, who I think will be a steal when they are finally signed:  (A steal reflecting a positive production/cost ratio as compared to other players)

-Doug Davis (P)

-Brett Myers (P)

-Hank Blalock (1B/3B/DH)

-Octavio Dotel (P)

-Kelly Johnson (2B)

-Xavier Nady (OF)

-Scott Podsednik (OF)

Now, I think there are more guys available who are valuable and not included on this list, but I think this is representative of the players who can definetly help a team win.  These are guys who I am interested in seeing where they end up and following them next year.

 

Happy Holidays!

Maybe he can pitch better with 1 eye?

Joe Blanton continues to be a rock in the Phillies rotation, with another good start last night.  Blanton(8-6) went eight innings and scattered ten hits and three runs while striking out four in a 12-3 Phils win.  Ryan Howard once again had a huge game as he hit a three run home run and also added an RBI double in the game and was joined by Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz in the home run game.  The Phillies completed another three game sweep and are on a nice role heading into New York to face the Mets this weekend, check out Phillies Phandom for more.

Doug Davis couldn’t stop the Phillies offense, but not many can at this point in the season.  Davis(7-11) only got through five innings in taking the loss as he gave up five hits, six runs (five earned) and four walks in cluding a home run.  Alex Romero, Miguel Montero and Chad Tracy all had RBI hits for the Diamondbacks, but that couldn’t save them.

A rare bad start for JJ

Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros continues to have a nice bounce back and surprising year.  Rodriguez(12-7) went eight innings and only gave up four hits and a run, which is a rarity against the Florida Marlins as the Astros won 4-1 to take the series.  He was supported by two fourth inning home runs, a two run shot by Lee and a solo shot by Hunter Pence and Wandy Rodriguez capped the scoring himself with an RBI double in the fifth.  Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth with two k’s for his 18th save of the season.

The Marlins have now broken their consecutive ten hit games streak and are on a two game losing streak heading into a weekend against the Braves.  Josh Johnson(12-3) took only his third loss of the year, and could not get out of the fifth inning, recording one out in the fifth but allowing seven hits and four runs with two home runs in all.  Dan Uggla had an RBI ground out to score the only run of the game for the Fish, but check FishGuts for more.

best part of the night for the Mets fans

Former Met Ryan Church took it to the Mets last night, which must not be fun for Mets fans.  He went 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI as the Braves won 3-2 for a series victory in New York.  Brian McCann added a solo home run in the fourth inning and Omar Infante also had an RBI for the Braves.  Starter Kenshin Kawakami(6-9) was able to pick up a win as he went seven innings allowing seven hits and only a single run while striking out five and Rafael Soriano got his 18th save of the season while allowing only a hit in the ninth.  The Braves Baseball Blog will have more information on the Braves for you.

Johan Santana couldn’t even get the win last night , even though he pitched ok..but it certainly wasn’t a Johan classic game.  Santana(13-9) went seven innings and allowed nine hits and three runs and only struck out two for the game.  Corey Sillivan and Omir Santos produced the Mets only runs on RBI singles in the third and eighth.  The best point of the game was Billy Wagner pitching a perfect inning in the eighth on only fourteen pitches and striking out two.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more info on the Mets.

a sweep...ouch

The Rockies were able to complete a three game sweep in Washington last night as they rode Jason Hammel’s pitching to a 4-1 victory.  Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe were credited with RBI hits and Torrealba was able to score on a wild pitch in the fifth.  Jason Hammel(8-7) went seven innings and allowed only a single run and three hits and once again Huston Street worked the ninth, this time a perfect one and got his 32nd save of the year.

The Nationals are back to the Nationals everyone knew of, but part of it is surprising.  The pitching wasn’t terrible as Garret Mock(2-5) worked five innings allowing three hits and two runs and struck out eight.  Adam Dunn produced the only run for the Nationals with an RBI double in the sixth but he was the only hitter with two hits and only Guzman and Willingham even had a single hit besides him.  Check out CenterfieldGate for more on the Nats.

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If interested in helping the NLEC, please contact mrose@nleastchatter.com

The Marlins with 10 hits last night  set a club record by notching 10 or more hits in 7 straight games and also beat the Astros 8-6  putting them within 3.5 games of the
1st place Phillies. To read more go to out FishGuts

Pitcher Doug Davis’s 2 run double in the 2nd was a sign of bad things to come as the DiamondBacks beat the Mets 7-4 last night. To read more head on over to The Real Dirty Mets.
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If interested in helping the NLEC, please contact mrose@nleastchatter.com

Cliff Lee made a good first impression

Cliff Lee (1-0) pitched a four-hitter, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and even adding two hits with the bat, and the Phillies felt an immediate impact two days after acquiring the left-hander from Cleveland, beating the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Friday night. He dazzled from the start for the World Series champions, tossing his 11th career complete game, fourth this season and third in four starts. Lee’s line: one run, six strikeouts, two walks, 109 pitches and 78 strikes. He was done in 2 hours, 39 minutes. Lee doubled in the eighth for his first career extra-base hit and that gave him his first multihit game—and doubled his previous career hit total. Giants rookie Ryan Sadowski (2-4) lost his fourth straight start after beginning his career 2-0 with 16 scoreless innings. He was done after four innings and 82 pitches after feeling some tightness in his shoulder and arm. He hasn’t gone longer than five during his losing streak.

Chris keeps the cubbies at bay

Three Florida relievers shut out the Chicago Cubs over the final 2 1-3 innings Friday night, while the Marlins scored three runs in the eighth against Carlos Marmol for a 5-2 victory. Brendan Donnelly (1-0), who has yet to allow a run in 10 innings with Florida, retired two batters in the eighth for his first NL victory. Leo Nunez pitched a hitless ninth for his ninth save in 12 chances. The relievers combined with starter Chris Volstad on a seven-hitter against the Cubs, who had scored 12 runs in each of the past two games. Florida’s relievers will get a reinforcement Saturday with the return of closer Matt Lindstrom, sidelined since June 23 by an elbow injury. The Marlins have won eight of their last 10 games to surge into wild-card contention, and they were buoyed by the addition of Washington first baseman Nick Johnson minutes before Friday’s trade deadline. He’s expected to be in the lineup Saturday. The score was 2-all when Marmol (2-2) came into the game in the eighth with a scoreless streak of 8 1-3 innings, but he walked the first two batters. Dan Uggla scored from second on Baker’s hit, and Helms doubled to hike his average as a pinch-hitter to .387.

Brian is not a happy camper

Schmidt (2-1) walked five and struck out three in six innings, his longest start since going six innings for the Dodgers at San Diego on June 5, 2007. Six scoreless innings, his longest start in more than two years, lifted Schmidt’s spirits and Andre Ethier hit a homer and drove in four runs to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Friday night. Ethier hit a three-run homer in the fifth off Tommy Hanson (5-2) and added a run-scoring double in the ninth.“It’s the first time I’ve ever faced him that he’s not thrown me a changeup,” Jones said. “There’s just not that much difference between his changeup and his fastball right now. … But his curveball is much improved.” Hanson gave up eight hits and four runs in six innings to lose his second straight start.

So close...yet so far

Sean Green and the New York Mets were on their way to escaping a mess in the eighth inning Friday night when the reliever’s control failed him again. Arizona loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. Green (1-3) hit Upton with a pitch and walked Reynolds after Pedro Feliciano gave up a leadoff single to Gerardo Parra. The Mets looked as if they might escape after Daniel Murphy turned a nifty 3-2-3 double play but Green’s next pitch bounced away from catcher Omir Santos and Upton scampered home to give the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead. Esmerling Vasquez (2-2) pitched a scoreless seventh, Jon Rauch worked the eighth and Chad Qualls finished for his 19th save. David Wright and Daniel Murphy homered for New York, which has lost its last two after winning five straight. Livan Hernandez gave up two runs and four hits in six innings. Reynolds hit a 415-foot drive to center in the second for his 29th homer and Montero connected in the fourth, reaching the upper deck in right for his 10th of the season. Reynolds had two hits and is batting .396 (21 for 53) since the All-Star break. “We never put a lot of guys on base,” Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. “We never had the chance for a big inning. Doug Davis, he has us all off balance.”

The last of the pirates do battle

Ross Ohlendorf (9-8) allowed two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings, Matt Capps earned his 21st save and Andrew McCutchen went 2 for 3 for the Pirates. Ryan Zimmerman homered and Cristian Guzman went 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Nationals, who have lost three straight. The last-place teams met on a trade deadline day that included the first game for their respective watered-down rosters. In front of his rebuilt former team, Lastings Milledge made a good first impression on the new-look Pittsburgh Pirates. Milledge’s hits came in the third and seventh off Nationals starter John Lannan (7-8), but the left fielder misplayed Guzman’s sinking liner into an RBI double with Hanrahan on the mound in the eighth. Lannan entered the game having allowed a total of two runs in his past two starts but was charged with more than three earned runs in a game for only the third time in his past 20 outings. He allowed five runs and nine hits in seven innings. “I had it bad out there today, but I took some positives out of it,” Lannan said. “You knew that something was going to happen today. Nick’s a great ballplayer and Joe helps any staff. On deadline day, you know a lot of things are going to go down, so it really didn’t affect my mentality.”

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Feliz Powers Phils

The Phillies started this homestand on July 3rd with a terrible record at home, especially for a 1st place team in July of a season.  They changed that with a 9-1 homestand which was capped by a series sweep of the Pirates this weekend.  Pedro Feliz hit his 6th home run of the season and 6th grand slam of his career in the first inning, giving J.A. Happ and the Phillies pitching all the runs they would need in winning 5-2.  Happ(6-0) finished a very solid first half,  with his sixth win against zero losses while starting the year in relief and finishing the half as likely Philly’s most solid starter.  The Phillies will go into the break with a four game division lead, check out Phillies Phandom for more Philly info.

Virgil Vasquez(1-3) took the loss for the Pirates and after a solid debut for the Pirates, has lost three straight starts.

Johnson stays strong

Josh Johnson made sure to show that he is absolutely deserving of the All-Star nod he got a week ago, with another very solid start on Sunday.  Johnson(8-2) got his eighth win of the year while pitching into the seventh allowing eight hits and one run, while striking out seven batters.  He was helped by some early runs by the Marlins hitting with Cody Ross delivering a bases clearing double in the first, and the Marlins led 6-1 when he left the game and won 8-1 at the end of the day.  Florida had been only one game back of first nine days ago, but faltered slightly as the Phillies stayed hot going into the break.  Most of their team and especially relief pitching will get their much needed break this week before getting back to the grind.

Doug Davis(4-9) only lasted four innings on Sunday as he gave up five runs on three walks and seven hits and a home run for the loss.

Hawpe delivers before the ASG

The Braves took a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning yesterday in Denver, in what would turn out to be a back and forth game between the teams.  The Rockies steadily fought back scoring single runs in the second,third, fourth and eighth while sprinkling in three runs in the seventh and the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.  First time All-Star Brad Hawpe hit a double with the game tied in the ninth which scored Seth Smith to give the Rockies the 8-7 win and sending the Braves to the break on a sour note.  Huston Street(3-1) got the win in relief as he pitched a perfect ninth of the inning before the Braves won the game.  The two teams used a total of thirteen pitchers, so those pitchers are very happy to see the break come so they can rest up.

Luis Valdez(0-1) took the loss while giving up the game winning hits and runs in the ninth inning for the Braves.  Check out the Braves Baseball Blog for more on this.

Schneider ends the drought

The New York Mets did what seemed the impossible this weekend, and won a series and at the same time, winning the rubber game.  Taking two out of three from the Reds will go down as only their second series victory since the beginning of June.  Mike Pelfrey(7-4) pitched seven strong innings giving up three earned runs and leaving with a 9-3 lead, but the Mets bullpen made it interesting before giving him the win.  Sean Green and Pedro Feliciano couldn’t get out of the eighth inning with a single out before Bobby Parnell had to come in and save them, but not before allowing three runs, all charged to Sean Green.  Francisco Rodriguez worked a shaky ninth inning giving up a run, a hit and a walk before retiring the side for his 23rd save of the first half and a 9-7 Mets victory.   Check out The Real Dirty Mets blog for more Mets info.

Aaron Harang(5-9) once again could not get the win in a start, getting his ninth loss while giving up five runs in just three innings pitched.

Valverde looks funny in glasses

The Washington Nationals continue have trouble winning games, and did just that on Sunday afternoon in Houston.  Brian Moehler(6-5) shut the Nats down for 6.1 innings while allowing seven hits and two runs en route to a 5-0 Astros win.  For a while it looked like Miguel Tejada’s RBI single in the first would hold up, but Kaz Matsui gave some insurance runs in the seventh with a three run homer.  Jose Valverde worked the ninth inning with a strike out and a hit to get his eighth save this season for the ‘Stros.

Jordan Zimmermann(3-4) also worked 6.1 innings for the Nats but was charged with four of the five runs the Astros got and now has a losing record for the Nationals.  Late last night, Manny Acta was fired by the Nationals after his team’s 26-61 start to the season., read more about that and the Nationals at CenterfieldGate.

This should be a great weekend of National League East Baseball, please be sure to check back to NLEC or the team affiliate blog frequently!

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