Power Pros Forum

SACRAMENTO DUKES

8/15/08: 6–4, Jacksonville

8/16/08: Sid Fernandez took a two hit shutout into the 9th inning, while the Dukes starter allowed more hits, but also maintained a shut out until Braun doubled home two runs in the sixth. Fernandez finished with one of the best pitching lines in Hickories history – 9 IP, 0R, 2H, 7K. Final score: 2–0, Jacksonville

8/17/08: 4–3, Dukes

Yankees Trade Analysis

Received 3B Eric Chavez (DCCBAB), age 31, from the Athletics on 8/1 in exchange for Mike Mussina (92 2SF – two, SL – two, KNC – five, CH – two, SFB – two), age 40. The Yankees will miss Mussina this season, but he is clearly on the downside of his career and this may have been the Yankees last chance to get some value for the aging moose. The question is whether they could have done better than Chavez, considering that although Chavez is a better fielder than the current third baseman on the Yankees roster behind Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees already had two third baseman with DC Contact and Power (Morgan Ensberg and Great Gordon)

Received Bob Howry (95 BE SL – three, SP – two, SIFB – three), age 35, from the Cubs on 7/20 in exchange for C Jose Molina (EEEBCD), 33. Howry adds to the depth of the Yankees bullpen, which was already a very solid unit, but the loss of Molina gives them no defense at that valuable position, as Jorge Posada becomes the Yankees top defensives backstop, with a D arm, fielding, and error resistance. Overall, this probably was an unwise trade since the relief pitching stable that includes Chamberlain, Hawkins and several others, not to mention the best closer in the history of the game, could have done without this addition, while the loss of Molina will probably be felt.

Received OF Ryan Spillborghs (DCDDEFD), age 29, from the Rockies on 7/9 in exchange for Jeff Karstens (90 FE SL – two, CU – two, CB – four, CH – three), age 26. This is a "win – win" for both teams, as Spillborghs could not crack the starting lineup with Colorado and the Yankees have a wealth of quality relief pitching. Spillborghs gives the Yankees a quality bench player that will add depth behind Bobby Abreu, Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, and Hideki Matsui, and may challenge for a starting spot in 2009.

Trade Grade: C

Although fairly odd, those are still some of the more realistic trades I've seen on PP.

ANGELS SERIES

8/18/08: In this offensive game, 19 runs were scored in the first three innings. Final score: 14–13, Angels

8/19/08: the Angels John Lackey (95 CA 2SF – two, HSL – three, CB – four, CH – three) was not at his best and the Hickories took advantage, as Mays Hayes singled to start the game, stole second, and then scored on a shallow single from Plant, who moved to second on the throw home and scored two outs later on a Lebowski opposite field single to right. The Hickory's pitching staff is in complete disarray, and Gabe Kotter (92 GB 2SF – two, HSL – two, the SL – three, CCH – two) took the mound even though his turn was not scheduled for three more games. A few innings later, the Hickories scored on a leadoff homerun from David Banner, but wasted an opportunity for a big inning when they loaded the bases with no out but came away with nothing more. Kotter, meanwhile, took a three hitter into the fifth inning and a four hitter into the sixth, and was not hurt by the Hickory's first game with more than one error this season – one error by Encyclopedia Brown, filling in at shortstop, on a throw to first, and another error by first baseman Buck Rogers receiving a throw from third. The Angels finally punched through in the sixth when Gary Matthews doubled off the left centerfield wall and scored on a Torii Hunter single. By the seventh inning, every Hickory except Ryan Braun had reached base, and Ryan Braun finally reached base in the seventh, actually reaching all four when he homered to right-center field. Montoya entered the ninth inning to protect a three run lead and allowed the Angels to load the bases with one out and score two runs before recording the final two outs on a strikeout and a deep fly ball to right. Final score: 4–3, Jacksonville

8/20/08: the rubber game of this Angels series pitted the Hickories David Cohen (98 GB 2SF – one, HSL. – two, SCB – one, CCH – one), pitching in purple condition, against the Angels Ervin Santana (96 DB CB – two, CH – two). While the top of the Hickories lineup stranded a runner at second, solid two out hitting from the 7–9 hitters brought in a run in the second. Back to back doubles from Braun and Lebowski in the third brought in two runs, and that was followed by an RBI single from David Banner, who then stole second and scored two batters later. In the meantime, Cohen was clearly not his best, but moved his pitches around the zone even though he clearly did not have pinpoint control, and kept a potent Angels lineup off balance through 6 innings. The Angels scored three runs in the seventh inning, but never got any closer. Final score: 7–3, Jacksonville

Agreed. I've only stumbled upon 1 trade this season that I thought was ludicrous. Will post about it at some point

TWINS

The Hickories square off for their first series against the Twins this season. Notable new faces on the Twins include right fielder Hunter Pence (CBDCBC), pitcher Chris Carpenter (95 FB HSL – five, DCB – four, SP – three), who they obtained in exchange for their closer Joe Nathan (98 BE HSL – five, CB – four), Jonathan Papelbon (98 BE SL – two, SP – one) from the Red Sox in exchange for starting pitcher Boof Bonzer (94 CB SL – three, CB – two, CH – three), and shortstop Geoff Blum (EDDCBD), obtained from the Astros for 3B Michael Lamb (DCCDED)

8/22/08: Hickories Fernandez, pitching out of turn because none of the other starters were rested enough, against the Twins Kevin Slowey (93 DB SL – three, CU - one, CB - one, CH - one). The Hickories scored a run in the first, but left a runner in scoring position. The Twins tied the game the bottom of the inning when an error from Buck Rogers gave the Twins an extra out, and they pulled ahead on some solid hitting in the 2nd. A Ryan Braun homerun tied the game. The Hickories pulled ahead the next inning, but the Twins tied it when a run scored on a wild pitch from Joe Smith. A Jeff Lebowski homerun put that Hickories up, but to innings later, Justin Morneau hit home with runners on first and second. Final score: 6–4, Twins

8/23/08: back to back to back doubles by Morneau, Harris, and Pence gave the Twins a fourth inning lead. The Hickories were able to tie the game, but the Twins had another big inning, in which the Twins hit one ball that bounced on the left field foul line and another that bounced just inside the right-field foul line. Final score: 5–2, Twins

8/24/08: this game had only two innings of scoring, with the Twins taking a two run lead in the first before the Hickories scored four in the seventh. Final score: 4–2, Jacksonville

Boston Red Sox Trade Analysis

Received 3B David Wright (BADDCC), age 26, from the Mets on 7/26 for Josh Beckett (97 BA 2SF – two, DCB – four, F 0–5, CH – three, SFB – four), age 28. The Red Sox will miss Beckett, but cannot be criticized for getting one of the top third baseman in the game. They still have an excellent third baseman in Mike Lowell, who will probably continue to start, but Wright is almost 10 years younger, and under contract for five years as opposed to Lowell's three-year contract, which probably explains this deal.

Received Boof Bonzer (94 CB SL – three, CB – two, CH – three), age 27, from the Twins for Johnathan Poppelban (98 BE SL – two, SP – one). A pitcher with a mid 90s fastball and B stamina is worth more than a pitcher with a high 90s fastball and E stamina, so the Red Sox did well for themselves here.

Trade Grade: A

ANGELS Series

The Hickories reorder their lineup, again, and will be having Jeff Lebowski (DCE) move up from the sixth, seventh slot to bat third. Said Hickories management "Jeff's ability to bring his batting average up to over 300 after his poor first months has been great and he's shown solid power with 17 homeruns on the season. Our goal is to bring up our homerun hitters (Rogers and Braun) with runners on base, and we think this move will help."

8/25/08: Although Buttermaker allowed two runs in the first, it appeared that the movement of Lebowski to third in the batting order paid off early against Angels pitcher Josh Rupe, as Lebowski doubled home Mayes Hayes, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Of course, with two powerful lineups lineups on the field, each team seemed able to score at will, with 18 runs scored in the first three innings, and seven total pitchers taking the mound in the first five innings. Final score: 14–8, Jacksonville

8/26/08: Angels starter Ervin Santana (96 DB CB – two, CH – two) is known as a slow starter, and the Hickories took advantage, scoring three in the first inning. The Angels grouped together five hits, scoring twice, in the following inning, before going ahead in the third on a solo homerun and a successful squeeze bunt. The Hickories grabbed the lead in the bottom of the third, when Buck Rogers singled with runners on second and third. Two innings later, Willie Mays Hayes hit his first home run of the season – a 393 foot shot over the right-field wall with runners on first and third. Both teams continued to score throughout the rest of the game, including homeruns from David Banner and Jordi Leforge, but there were no more lead changes. Final score: 10–6, Jacksonville

8/27/08: in this matchup of team aces John Lackey and David Cohen, both pitchers started strong although the Hickories were able to push a run across in the second on a David Banner double over Torii Hunter's head. Harry Kendrick led off the fifth with a triple and scored the tying run. Jacksonville stranded runners in scoring position in the fifth, but were able to push another run across in the sixth, and Leforge hit his eighth home run of the season off of a tiring John Lackey, who left the game just before a Lebowski single and doubles from Rogers and Braun brought in two more. Torii Hunter hit a two run homerun in the ninth after Cohen left the game, but the Angels could not prevent the Hickories sweeping this series. Final score: 5–3, Jacksonville

Boston Red Sox Trade Review

Received 3B David Wright (BADDCC), age 26, from the Mets on 7/26 for Josh Beckett (97 BA 2SF – two, DCB – four, FO–5, CH – three, SFB – four), age 28. The Red Sox will miss Beckett, but cannot be criticized for getting one of the top third baseman in the game. They still have an excellent third baseman in Mike Lowell, who will probably continue to start, but Wright is almost 10 years younger, and under contract for five years as opposed to Lowell's three-year contract, which probably explains this deal.

Received Boof Bonzer (94 CB SL – three, CB – two, CH – three), age 27, from the Twins for Johnathan Poppelban (98 BE SL – two, SP – one). A pitcher with a mid 90s fastball and B stamina is worth more than a pitcher with a high 90s fastball and E stamina, so the Red Sox did well for themselves here.

Trade Grade: A

You posted this yesterday, lol. I love the trade reports though, it makes an already great log all the more better.

UGH – I must have forgot to delete it from my file. Thanks for catching it.

And thank you for the compliment regarding my log

Astros trade analysis

The Astros were the most active team in the trade market this year, picking up...

3B Angel Chavez (EEDBEE), Age 27, from the Hickories on May 17 for C JR Towles (GEEBCC), age 28. A backup defensive 3B for a backup defensive catcher. We call this a "push."

CF Clete Thomas (EFDDDD), age 25, from the Tigers on June 27 for Geoff Geary (94 CE SL – two, CV – two, CH – two), age 32. A young backup outfielder in exchange for a an older middle reliever with a decent fastball. Another "push."

Pitcher Francisco Liriano (98 CB HSL – five, CH – three), age 25, from the Twins on June 29 for RF Hunter Pence (CBDCBC), age 25. Giving up one of the best young outfielders of the game for one of the best young pitchers of the game. We give the edge to the Twins, since young, quality pitching seems easier to find them young, quality position players.

LF Shannon Stewart (CCCEEG), age 34, from the Blue Jays on July 4 for Great Romero (96 CC SL – two, CB - one, CH – three), age 26. An older dynamic offensive outfielder in exchange for a young middle reliever with a good fastball. Advantage: Astros

Short reliever Andrew Brown (94 DE SL – three, CB – one, CH – four), age 27, from the Athletics on July 6 for OF Michael Bourn (FECFFC), age 26. Many view Andrew Brown as a potential closer who is able to be a valuable set up man right now, while Bourn is little more than a pinch runner. Clearly a win for the Astros and a head scratcher for the Athletics.

Pitcher Paul Byrd (90 BA 2SF – two, SL – two, CB – two, CH – two), age 38, from the Indians for LF Carlos Lee (CAEDEC), age 32. A pitcher on the downside of a career v. an older LF who can hit 40 HRs? Advantage: Indians

C John Buck (ECECEC), age 28, from the Royals on July 12 for Felipe Paulino (96 BC SL – two, CB – two, CH – one), age 25. The loss of Paulino would normally hurt, except for the other pitching the Astros picked up, and Buck should immediately step in as they're starting catcher. Advantage Astros

3B/1B Mike LAMB (DCCDED), age 33, from the Twins on July 23 for SS/3B Geoeff Blum (EDDCBD), age 35. The Astros got a little more offense, giving up a nice defensive option at 2 important defensive spots. Advantage: Push.

Comments: Liriano and Paul Bird give the Astros a nice stable of pitchers that can go deep into games behind ace Roy Oswalt, and Andrew Brown could wind up as the closer before the end of the season. While the pick up of Shannon Stewart would otherwise make the Astros outfield a strength of the team, the loss of Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee makes the Astros outfield one of the weaker units in the league, with no player other than Stewart having a contact or power rating higher than level D. In the infield, the Astros added depth at third and first behind starters Ty Wigginton and Lance Berkman, and improved significantly at catcher.

Trade Grade: C, the strength of the John Buck and Andrew Brown trades are offset by the losses of Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence

ORIOLES Series

While the Hickories have played great baseball this month, so have the Red Sox, resulting in the Hickories gaining only one game in the wildcard race. Jacksonville must be hoping that the last place Orioles have packed it in already and the Hickories pick up a at least a game or two on the Red Sox a while they duke it out with the Angels for 4 games

8/28/08: The Orioles Matt Albers (93 DC SL – two, CB – three, CH – one), starting because none of the Orioles other starters were rested yet, was sharp, showing good command of his fastball and a nice curve that limited the Hickories to two hits entering the 9th, while Gabe Kotter attacked the strike zone effectively, as usual. In the third, when Kotter was unable to finish off Brandon Fahey (GFC) after starting him 0–2, the leftfielder doubled to left field and later scored the game's first run. Melvin Mora homered off of and 0–2 fosh in the eighth, which proved to be a valuable insurance run, since, with two out in the ninth, Willie Mays Hayes hit his second homerun of the season off of a tiring Albers, triggering the call to the bullpen for Jason Isringhausen (95 CE CU – three, DCB – four, CH – two), who induced a harmless flyball to first from Robert Plant. Final score: two – one, Orioles

8/29/08: In another pitching duel, the Orioles scored first when Robert Plant fielded an easy double-play ball that should've been the inning, but he took the easy out at first (later claiming that he did not realize there was only one out), followed by an error by fill in first baseman Encyclopedia Brown on a separate play that same inning that allowed the inning to continue and then Cool Junior dropped an easy popout that allowed a runner to score. Ryan Braun tied the game with an RBI single in the sixth. Mayes Hayes' third homerun in 4 games gave the Hickories a one run lead in the eighth. The Orioles tied the game when Aubrey Huff doubled in a run. In the ninth, Laforge homered after Banner doubled. Final score: 4–2, Jacksonville

8/30/08: Orioles starter Steve Trashel (90 DB 2SF – two, SL – two, CB – two, SP – two, CH – two) played the crafty veteran, keeping Lebowski and Braun off-balance and stranding Robert Plant in scoring position, and then escaping a similar jam in the third, while Sid Fernandez (88 EB HSL – two, DCB – one, SP – three, HSH – two) used his array of breaking pitches to keep the Orioles off-balance except for some well-placed hits in the second that brought in an Orioles run. The Hickories seized the lead in the fourth when Banner hit a two run home run. A double by catcher Crash Davis set up another score that inning. When Mays Hayes and Plant led off the seventh with back-to-back doubles, Trashel seem to be every one of is 37 years old, and when Plant scored from third on an infield single from Braun, Trashel was shown the door. The Orioles scored on back-to-back doubles from Peyton and C Bengie Molina, triggering Fernandez's exit. Final score: 5–3, Jacksonville

8/31/08: Aubrey Huff broke a scoreless tie that lasted into the bottom of the fifth inning with a homerun to left field, and then the Orioles pushed another run across later that inning. It wasn't until Orioles starter Kenny Albers (93 DC SL – two, CB – three, CH – one) tired in the ninth inning that the Hickories caught up on a Buck Rogers two run homerun. The score remained tied until the top the 10th when the Hickories were able to push 4 runs across the plate with several singles and a fielders choice. After the Hickories McLain pitched a solid six innings, allowing just two runs, Jack Tripper pitched three innings of shutout ball before giving way to Mickey Shuler, who closed out the game with two fly balls to center and one to shallow left center that was caught by the shortstop. Final score: 6–2, Hickories

Most lopsided trade of 2008

Tampa Bay Rays trade backup catcher Shawn Riggins (EFGBDD) to the Giants in exchange for pitchers Jonathan Sanchez (94 DE SL – two, SP – one) and Tim Lincecum (98 DA 2SF – two, SL – four, DCB – four, CH – four).

Riggins for Sanchez might be an even swap, but tossing in one of the top young pitchers in the game? Tampa better send San Francisco a thank you note!!!