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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:31 pm 
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Definitely "Melky" - that's the guy!

The Marlins are 5 or 6 deep in quality OF. Problem is they traded away their only quality 2b and now, instead of the dangerous Uggla, they have the ordinary Cantu.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:16 pm 
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7/2 – 4/2010: Iowa City Country at Florida Marlins

Game two: Country Grindell (94 EBD CU – three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – three) at Marlins Watkins (93 DC SL – three, FO – one)


    The Marlins starter appeared to be pitching well, but the Country hitters found holes in the second inning, building a 4-0 lead when even Grindell drove in a run. The Marlins starter was unable to pitch beyond the first batter of the fifth inning, and the Country feasted on the reliever, scoring three more.

    Grindell, who allowed one run earlier, was tiring quickly in the 5th and left with runners at second and third, no one out, being replaced by Andrew Brown. Brown allowed his two inherited runners to score plus a third, and the game entered the sixth inning with the Country leading seven – four. The Country scored another run and, entering the ninth, Hardin took the mound. He gave up a double and then a two run homerun to pinch-hitter Louie Gonzalez. After Hanley Ramirez bounced a single over the head of third-baseman Fields, Hardin recorded the next two outs and seemed to be in control before giving up the game-tying homerun to Troy Glaus. The game entered the 10th inning tied at eight

    The Marlins brought in closer Francisco Rodriguez and the Marlins and Country traded zeros for the 10th & 11th innings. While Stratton easily closed out the bottom of the 12th for his third inning, Rodriguez had to leave with two outs in the top of the 13th, and with no other pitchers other than starters still in gray condition, Doug Waechter (94 DB SL – two, SP - one) entered the game with two out and Huisman on first. The Country were unable take advantage, as Schrager popped out ending the inning.

    With Stratton approaching the 40 pitch mark after 4 – 1/3 innings, Broxton in yellow condition, and Lincecum and Depablos in blue, and the Marlins with only gray pitchers available, time was on the Country's side, but they didn't need any more, as Erdos led off the inning with a homerun to right-center field. With a one run lead, Broxton entered as the Country's last remaining relief pitcher, facing Gary Sheffield. Sheffield was retired on easy foul popout, but Glaus doubled. The next batter ground out to second bringing up Cantu with the tying run on base, but he popped out to the pitcher, ending the game.

Final score: nine – eight (14), Country

    Comments: official game time was five hours, two minutes. Orlando Hudson, Jack Cust, and Josh Fields went a combined 4/21 with three doubles, one home run, and three RBIs. The Marlins Sheffield and Glaus went a combined 5/7 with one double, one homerun, and five RBIs.

    The Marlins used eight pitchers (including starting pitchers Waechter and Jared Weaver in the final innings), with four pitching less than a full inning; the Country used six pitchers with one (Harding) pitching less then a full inning

Game three: Country Bailey (95 DB 2SF – three, HSL – two, DCB – 4) versus Marlins Waechter (94 BB SL – two, SP – one)

    The Country started off sandwiching two doubles with two singles, scoring three runs, but a two run homerun by Troy Glaus left the Country with just a three – two lead after one. In the third inning, the Country scored another run, but a second Glaus two run homerun tied the game at four.

    In the fifth, after Spilborghs was thrown out on a close play at the plate, Cust hit a two run bomb over the centerfield fence and then Pence followed with a solo homerun to right-center field. When the Marlins failed to score, the Country took a seven – four lead into the sixth.

    When the Country scored another two runs in the seventh, their five run lead seemed pretty comfortable, but the Marlins scored two in the bottom of the seventh to stay within three runs.

    Fortunately, the Marlins would not score again, as Brown pitched a solid eighth and Harden earned his 25th safe.

Final score: nine – six, Country

    Comments: Hunter Pence was 3/4, missing the cycle by a triple. His two RBIs matched the two RBIs from Hudson, who went 4/5 with two doubles. The first four batters In the Country's lineup went a combined 12/19 with seven RBIs and nine runs scored. For the Marlins, Troy Glaus accounted for all six of their RBIs.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:29 pm 
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Watkins, eh? Another Marlins rookie. Besides the OF it looks like they've changed up the pitching too.

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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 8:07 pm 
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We now go to Bill for the "odd sports trend of the week."

...Well thank you, Tom. On this segment of "odd sports trends," we are going to look at the Iowa City Country and their amazing record. Since June 1, the Country are 28 and 2, but what has most people scratching their heads is that of their last 28 wins, 21 were decided by 3 or fewer runs. Normally, when a team is playing close games, they are bound to lose their fair share, but the Country seem to always find a way to pull out close games. For more analysis, we have the Country's assistant head coach, Rupert Finkle.

Rupert, winning 21 games decided by 3 runs or fewer is an amazing run. How do you explain it?
Well, Bill, I do think that a decent amount of it is luck. This is a game of inches and the fact that we tend to get the winning run when we need is part skill, but part lunch.

Rupert, can you tell us about the "skill" part?
Well, ERISA Dude built a team that can win in many ways. In our standard lineup, it would not be surprising for any of our 1-7 hitters (Spilborghs, Erdos, Hudson, Cust, Pence, Fields, Johnson) to hit a homerun, and in the later innings, when pitchers are tiring, that's a big time for home runs.

So...would you say that opposing teams are leaving their pitchers in too long?
Bill, there are a lot of considerations that go into replacing a pitcher. All I'm saying is that when we see a pitcher face his 3rd batter after tiring, we know there's going to be a hanging curve or a fastball down the middle, and out guys know to wait for that.

I see, Rupert. That absolutely explains a lot of your 1-run games and extra inning wins. What about the others?
Bill, in addition to the long ball, we have a group of solid contact hitters, so we can single our way to runs, but what makes that portion of our game deadly is our speed. In our regular lineup, Huisman, who normally bats 8th or 9th, has C speed. Our 1 and 3 hitters have A speed, and our 2 hitter has B speed, meaning almost 1/2 our lineup can get themselves into scoring position after a single, or can go from 1st to 3rd. This means that we can often get a run in on 2 hits, which is a big help against strong pitching. If we needed 3 hits - 1 to get on base, 1 to get into scoring position, and 1 to score, we would score a lot fewer runs.

Hmmm....so between your speed and your power hitting, you can finish off a game with 1 or 2 hits while others need 1 or 3?
Actually, Bill, our pitching has been the biggest factor. From starters to relievers, our team has been the stingiest in the league. They just do not allow a lot of runs, and while we can score on 1-2 hits, our pitching forces other teams to get 3 or 4. Our fielders are a big part of that, too. We might allow an infield hit, but our range allows our SS AND 2b to keep the ball in the infield and prevent runs.

So, Rupert, you are really just saying that the Country win close games because they are the total package?
We really are. And another aspect as made a big difference against some of the tougher pitchers we've faced. ERISA Dude stresses more than just patience at the plate. He says that on an individual basis, if you get on base, that's a "win" - you won that at bat. If you make an out on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd pitch, then you "lost" that at bat. If you make an out, but you force the pitcher to through 4 pitches, that's a tie. Our goal is to force the opposing pitcher to throw at least 10 pitches an inning, and that mindset forces a lot of pitchers to throw a lot of pitches and get pulled earlier than usual, allowing us to get to the middle relievers, which is often a weak spot.

Interesting. I know pitch count is important, but I have not heard it broken down like that. So, Rupert, I assume an out in an at bat that took 5 or more pitches would also be a tie?
Actually, Bill, internally, we count 5 pitch at bats as a win, regardless of whether it results in an out or not.

Well...there you have it. The Country's secret to winning close games is to use power and speed to score on 2 or fewer hits, use pitching to stop opponents from scoring, and force opposing pitchers to throw a lot of pitches to get tired. We now return to our studio.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:41 am 
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May 2010 Trades: A look at some trades that took place around the league back in May

5–31: the Marlins receive Jason Hirsch (94 DB SL – two, CB – one, CH – two) from the Indians in exchange for catcher Hoover (EFFDEG)

    At first blush, it looks like the Marlins got a steal – Hoover is a 34-year-old catcher who should probably be a career minor leaguer. The Indians are well-stocked at pitcher, with four pitchers with A stamina and three remaining pictures with B stamina, so they were dealing from a strength and Hirsh was likely to be more of an insurance policy than anything else this season.

    Hirsch is in the final year of his rookie contract, after which he will be a restricted free agent. In general, young pictures with level B stamina are hard to come by, and although he becomes the Marlins eighth pitcher with level B stamina (they have no one with A level stamina), this seems to be an excellent trade for the Marlins, although it leaves them thin at the backup catcher position.

5–24: the Brewers receive LF Cliff Floyd (DCFCCC) and pitcher Ryan Wagner (92 EE SL – two, CH – two) from the Nationals in exchange for 1b Great Lopez (EDFEFE)

    Floyd is in the first year of a three-year contract paying him $4.2 million per season, and provides nice depth and improved defense in the outfield after starting leftfielder Braun (CADEFG). At 37 years old and with his current price tag, it is clear that the Nationals were looking at this as an opportunity to dump some salary and get younger, with Lopez having this and next year remaining on his rookie contract. Looking strictly at the onfield product, the Brewers made out well in this deal.

5–27: the Astros receive picture Chad Gaudin (96 CA SL – two, SP – two, CH – one) from the Athletics in exchange for pitcher Valverde (96 CE SL – two, SP – three)

    Gaudin is in the last year of a contract paying $1.39 million, while Valverde is in the last year of a contract paying $3.06 million. Being that Gaudin is currently less expensive, is younger, and his loss means that the Athletics have only one pitcher with level A stamina and one pitcher with level B stamina, this trade was a steal for the Astros and a head scratcher for the Athletics.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 10:58 am 
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7/6 – 8/2010: Iowa City Country versus Cleveland Indian's

Game one: Country Depablos (94 DB SL – four, CB – four, VSL – three) versus Indians Sheets (96 CA HSL – two, CB – five, CH – three)


    The Country took a one – zero lead in the first on an Erdos opposite field home run, and, perhaps more importantly, forced Sheets to use 18 pitches to finish the first inning.

    In the second inning, a three run Spilborghs homer, and Erdos's second homerun of the day – this one a line drive just inside the left-field foul pole that was his 18th home of the season - gave the Country a formidable five – zero lead after two.

    The Indians got on board in the third when their catcher Bennett (EE) hit a towering homerun, and a Grady Sizemore homerun in the fourth pulled the Indians to within three. The Indians loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but Depablos induced a double-play ball from Kennedy, and when Dan Johnson hit a solo homerun and then scored two more that same inning, they had a healthy eight – two lead entering the sixth.

    The Indians scored a run in the sixth, and Great Kennedy hit a solo homerun against reliever Jiang in the seventh, but the game entered the eighth with the Country leading nine – four after they tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh.

    Sizemore hit his second home run of the day, but the Country matched it, maintaining their five run lead entering the nignth, and Andrew Brown closed it out uneventfully.

Final score: 10 – five, Country

    Comments: Erdos is having an amazing season in terms of power; his 18 home runs in the first half the season is especially surprising considering his level D power rating. The Country's eighth and ninth batters went a combined 6/8 with two RBIs and four runs scored. The Indians eighth and ninth batters were also 6/8, but with only one RBI and run scored.

game two: Country James (95 CB SL – four, CH – three) versus Indians Westbrook (93 CA CU – two, CB – three, CH – three, HSK – four)

    This pitcher's duel was 1-1 entering the seventh inning.

Final score: three – one, Country (James pitches a complete-game)

Game three: Country Rijo (97 DB SL – four, CB – three, FO-3) versus Indians Carmona (98 CA SL – one, CH – one, HSK – five)

Final score: 11 – 3, Country (Carmona was unable to complete a second inning that was disastrous for the Indians, capped by a three run homerun from Erdos)


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:07 am 
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7/10/2010 Trade report: the Country and Astros swapped minor league center fielders, the Country sending outfielder Zap to the Astros in exchange for Josh Hamilton.

    HISTORY: Zap started his major league career with the Country. He was traded early in the 2008 season to Kansas City for second baseman/shortstop Angel Sanchez. He was included in a trade this season, coming back to the Country with Josh Hamilton in exchange for middle reliever Shawn Green (94 CE SL-3, SP-4, SK-4) and minor league outfielder Hodge (EEDEED – LF). Hamilton was then packaged in a deal with the Astros that brought in RF Pence.

CONTRACT STATUS: Hamilton (DBEDDF) is earning $400,000 a year and will be a restricted free agent after next season. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 3 1/2 seasons. Zap (EDEDDE) is earning $470,000 on his current contract, also set to expire at the end of next season. Zap will not be an unrestricted free agent for another 4 1/2 seasons. Zap (9 – 20 – 1981) is four months younger than Hamilton (5 – 21 – 1981).

    Said the Astros: "both players are solid outfielders who could enter into our plans – we appreciate Zap's improved defense and we like the fact that he is a year further from unrestricted free agency."

    Said the Country: "when we saw that Hamilton was sitting in their minor-league system, we were confused, but saw an opportunity. Both of these players are solid young players, but considering that we could only hope that Zap would develop similar power to Hamilton, it was an easy decision. The fact that we are saving $70,000 a year did not enter into our decision-making, although it is a nice perk. That Hamilton is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent one year sooner is less important to us than the fact that both players are currently under contract that will expire at the same time – after next season. We would not have made this deal if Hamilton's comtract expired this year. In response to most people's initial questions, we do not anticipate bringing Hamilton up to the major-league roster. Barring injury, our starting outfield is Erdos, Spilborghs, and Pence, with Kemp as the fourth outfielder and Cust DHing. We look forward to seeing Hamilton focus on his development this year and we will reassess next spring."

    When asked about Hamilton being trade bate for the next few weeks, a Country spokesperson commented "we are willing to listen to offers for anyone on our team. We don't believe we have any holes that need fixing, but we will always listen to offers."

Most analysts agree that this appears to be a better deal for the Country on its surface; however, while Hamilton's short stint with the Country was productive, they wonder if there is an undisclosed problem with Hamilton since he was unable to crack the starting lineup with the Royals, was a platoon player in his last go around with the Country, did not even make the major-league roster with the Astros, and, apparently, is not expected to make the roster this season with the Country.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:24 pm 
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7/9 – 11/2010: Iowa City Country versus Boston Red Sox

    Preview: in this first matchup in 2010 between these two teams, each leading their division, the Red Sox are a completely different team from just a couple of years ago. Matsuzaka and Lester anchor a watered down pitching staff, but they still boast a powerful lineup, with two players (Ortiz and Aramis Ramirez) boasting level A power, four players (including JD Drew and Pedroia) boasting level B power, and 5 players with run speed of C or better).

Game one: Country Bailey (94 EB 2SF – three, HSL – two, DCB – four) versus Red Sox Norton (92 DC SL – three, CB – one). Jack Cust is being given the day off, with Matt Kemp taking his place as the DH.


    In the first, a two-out single from Dan Johnson brought in Erdos and then a Fields double to left center field brought in 2 more runs. An Erdos RBI single brought in another run in the second, and when Pence sent the second pitch of the bottom of third into the right field bleachers, the Red Sox starter was sent to the showers. The Country scored another run against the Red Sox reliever, and took a six – zero lead into the fourth.

    In the fourth, the Red Sox put runners at first and second with no one out and David Ortiz coming to the plate. Ortiz brought in a run on a broken bat single, but Bailey followed that up with a strikeout of Ramirez and then a double-play ball from JD Drew. One inning later, the Country got that run back when Pence made it all the way home from first on a Dan Johnson double off the right centerfield wall. In the sixth, Huisman, who was having a solid day at the plate and an amazing day in the field – seeming to grab anything hit to the left side of the infield – exited the game when he twisted his ankle sliding into third. Bailey pitched eight full, strong innings, and the Red Sox did score a couple of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, when a Country reliever who they just brought up the minor leagues surrendered several hits, but the game was never really close.

Final score: eight – four, Country

Game two: [SIMMED] 5-1

***ZAP-HAMILTON TRADE OCCURRED***

Game three: Country Grindell (94 EB CU – three, CB – three, PA – three, HSK – three) versus Red Sox Matsuzaka (92 CA HSL – five, CU – three, CB – two, SP – two, CH – four)

    Neither picture had their best stuff, but each was still able to pitch relatively effectively. The Red Sox got to Grindell early, scoring two in the first inning, while the Country spent their first inning realizing they could not go for the long ball against the Red Sox ace and used the second and third to bunch together enough hits to take a four – two lead into the fourth, and force Matsuzaka to go over 40 pitches in the first three innings.

    The Red Sox threatened in the fourth inning, driving Grindell from the game and scoring a run in the process. The inning ended when McCurdy threw out a base stealer for the third time today. The Country got their two run lead back in the fifth when Pence decided to go for the long ball with a 2 – 0 count and hammered a hanging curve. They maintained their two run lead into the top of the eighth when a JD Drew two run homerun tied the game at five.

POWER LOSS!!!! Due to a loss of power, the game was replayed

When replayed, it was another close game, but the Red Sox came out ahead four – three


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:16 am 
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7/10/2010: The final results of the All-Star voting was announced.

Orlando Hudson was not one of the second baseman voted in – it seems that he was bumped by Dan Uggla, who came over from the Marlins to the Yankees a few weeks ago. Josh Fields led the voting for third baseman. Spilborghs was voted on to the team as a fourth outfielder, so he will not start. Most analysts agree that Erdos deserved a spot, or at least more consideration than he received, but his quiet nature, his sharing time with Kemp and Josh Hamilton early in the season, and the coaches touting of Spilborghs hurt him.

Here is how Erdos's stats compared to the three outfielders selected, :

    Damon 300, 13 HR, 61 RBI, 21 SB, 39 XBH, 90 G
    Sizemore 287, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 3 SB, 38, XBH, 90 G
    Granderson 336, 19 HR, 61 RBI, 20 SB, 43 XBH, 90 G

    Erdos 312, 19 HR, 56 RBI, 21 SB, 40 XBH, 70 G

As you can see, Erdos has the 2nd best batting average, and in 20 fewer games, is tied with Granderson for the most home runs, tied with Damon for the most stolen bases, and has just 3 fewer extra base hits than Granderson (putting him 2nd in this foursome). He does have fewer RBIs than anyone in this group, but most analysts hope that his omission will be corrected by the coaches.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:35 am 
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He should at least be in over Sizemore, lol. Less RBIs but a lot more SB and higher BA, in 20 less games.

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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:04 am 
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That's why I brought it up! I've analyzed Erdos, in particular, this season because I needed to assess him compared to Kemp and Josh Hamilton. Although they are both level B in power and Erdos is a D, Erdos is hitting with great power this season (19 HR, 40 XBH).

More than anyone else, he's "overachieving" and I do not understand why I am able to hit the ball so well with Erdos compared to other players - even those with the same contact rating.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:46 pm 
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Does Erdos have any blue special abilities? Those can have a big impact but get overlooked a lot.

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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:56 pm 
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None. His contact rating has been at a high C and just became a B, so I might hit the bullseye with him more than Kemp, Spillborgs, and some others, but no blue abilities.

Spillborghs has great blue abilities - 4 lefty & 4 clutch
Fields has 4 lefty, so must of his HRs come from lefties.


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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 3:18 pm 
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The Giants made a couple of trades last month that are notable, especially in light of their preseason trade with the Country, reported earlier as follows:

ERISA Dude wrote:
[size=150]Spring-training Trades

Country - Giants

    the Country trade RP Chamberlain (100 DE SL-5, SCB-5, CH-4), Jimenez (99 DB CB-2, CH-4), and Murray (92 DC SL-3, KNC-4, FO-2) for Giants P Lincecum (99 DA 2SF-2, SL-4, DCB-4, CH-4). Lincecum is earning $900,000 and will be a restricted free agent after this season. Murray ($490,000) & Jimenez ($800,000) are restricted free agents after this season, while Chamberlain ($2.3 million) is under contract through next season.

Said the Country, "We had concerns about Jimenez' durability, although he certainly was dominant when he pitched. The opportunity to get a top line young starter like Lincecum was a great opportunity, and although we needed to include a top flight starter and a top closer, we had the personnel to absorb that hit. Murray is a middle relief pitcher who is progressing nicely, but we do not see him pushing Jiang, Green, or Brown, and yet, his addition brought this trade from something the Giants would consider (low 3 stars) to an easy call for them (4 stars)."

Said the Giants, "We hate to see Lincecum go, but the opportunity to trade a dominant young starter for another dominant young starter and a top-flight closer could not be ignored, and when they threw in a solid middle reliever, we needed to pull the trigger."

Analysts are split, although all think the Giants got a good deal. As for the Country, proponents say that Lincecum is leaps and bounds over the rest of the Country's staff, making him an "instant stopper," and believe that with Harden now having the closer's role all to himself, it will alleviate potential turmoil among the staff. Critics question how much better Lincecum will do for the Country over 14 game winner Jimenez, and think jettisoning the 2009 saves leader without making Harden earn his spot is a mistake. All agree that the Giants will appreciate minor league reliever Murry more than the Country will miss him.


6 – 16: the Giants receive picture Miller (97 EB SL – two, CU – two, CB – two, CH – two) from the Rays in exchange for Catcher Mellhuse (EFDCDD)

    Mellhuse is an eight year veteran in the last year of a $410,000 contract who will not push starter Navarro (DDDDDD) for the starting spot, but seems to have pushed their 2008 draft pick, Raymundo (EFGDDE) to the minors. If the Rays believed that Ramondo needed to develop in the minors, then this probably was a decent trade; otherwise, it mainly shows a lack of appreciation for pitchers with level B stamina, as the formerly "pitching rich" Rays previously lost James Shields, Edwin Jackson, and Sonnanstine, and are now left with merely four pitchers with stamina of B or higher.

    The Giants, meanwhile, added a 25 year old hurler to the mix who is under contract for another season and a half at $900,000 per season, adding to a lineup that is one of the most formidable in baseball (led by Beckett, Cain, and Zito) and leads the league in strikeouts. Furthermore, they should not miss Mellhuse, as weak-armed but capable catcher Bengie Molina (DBFEDA) will continue to start and 2009 draft pick Lamden (FEFDCC) will be the backup catcher.

6 – 29: the Giants receive picture Haren (95 CA CU – three, CB – three, SP – three, CH – three) from the Pirates in exchange for 1B, RF Ortmeyer (EDDEFG)

    The Giants are clearly going all in with pitching this year, adding $8.38 million of payroll for Haren while weakening their lineup at either first-base, which would be manned by 2008 draft pick Greneau (GDFGGE) or RF, which would be manned by Newhan (EFEECD).

    With Ortmeyer having one and a half seasons left at $400,000 per, and the move leaving the Pirates with only four pictures with level B or higher stamina, there is no way to spin this from the Pirates perspective other than as a cost saving measure.
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 Post subject: Re: Season Log: Iowa City Country
PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:12 pm 
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Favorite Team: Phillies
Console '07: Don't Own
Console '08: Nintendo Wii
Favorite Japanese title: (Vita) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2012
Haha, Andrew Miller and Haren for Melhuse and Ortmeier.. that is a robbery. Two solid, young pitchers for bench guys.

I wonder how the other rotations are looking right now. And how has that Chamberlain/Lincecum trade looking now..

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