Reyes, now Pujols?

It seems as if the Boss’s ghost has bought the Marlins. After the Bell and Reyes signings, apparently the Marlins are in on Pujols—for a 10-yr. deal. They better hope Pujols actually IS 31.

In the NFL, the Bears are wise. No interest in talking to Favre, no matter what their QB troubles are.

The Twins deal P Kevin Slowey (27) to Colorado for a PTBNL. Slowey had an awful 2011, 0-8, 6.67, ERA+ 60. Career? 39-29, 4.66, ERA+ 90. He’s 20.

Fired managers and ex-players have to love ESPN. Terry Francona replaces Bobby V in the booth for ESPN—after Bobby V replaces Francona as Boston mgr.

Rumor has P Mark Buehrle down to five teams.

The Pirates are interested in signing INF Wilson Betemit (30, KC/Det. 2011, .285-8-46, OPS+ 117, career OPS+ 105, .269 b.a.) to a deal as well as bringing back OF Nate McLouth (30).  McLouth platooned with the Braves, .228-4-16 in 2011, OPS+ 89. McLouth’s best year was in the ‘burgh in 2008, when he was an All-Star, GG, and finished 27th in MVP voting with a .276-26-94 year, 23 steals and a league-leading 46 doubles. Once dealt to Atlanta in 2010, he went south….in more ways than one.

The Cards apparently have P Kyle Lohse on the block…in order to make room for someone else? Lohse did win 14, with a 3.39 ERA, for the 2011 WS Champs.

Mets moves: Trade Angel Pagan (30, .262-7-56, 32 SB, OPS+ 93 in 2011, .279, OPS+ 101 career) to SF for Andres Torres in a trade of CF. Torres hit .221-4-19, 19 SB, 82 for SF in 2011. Alsong with Torres, the Mets get Ramon Ramirez, 30, 3-3, 2.62 in 2011. ERA+ 136. The Mets also signed Jon Rauch. The big righty (6’10”, 33) was 5-4, 4.85 for Toronto in 2011 with 11 saves but an ERA+ of just 88. Career 39-31, 3.82, ERA+ 113.

The Mets also signed Frank Francisco, 32, who along with Rauch was with Toronto in 2011. Francisco was 1-4, 3.55, ERA+ 120 with 17 saves. Career 18-19, 3.72, ERA+ 124.

Game 53. Texas 4, Yankees 2.

Almost at the 1/3 point. Next game.

YANKEES (31-21, 1st by 1 game)

The Yanks are 2 games better than their Pythagorean record, OPS+ 119, ERA+ 94.

BA-HR-RBI-SB/total att./OPS+

Jeter SS .319*-7-25-10*/11-127 (Jete’s been hot)
Damon LF .301-10-32-5/5-135
Teixeira 1B .279-16*-44*-0/0-153* (as has Teix)
Rodriguez 3B .250-7-20-0/0-148
Cano 2B .310-9-32-2/4-118
Posada C .313-7-25-1/1-159 (amazing for a catcher. .338 in 2007, .313 now at age 37.)
Matsui DH .268-8-22-0/0-122
Swisher RF .236-10-31-0/0-128
Gardner CF .270-2-9-10*/12*-94

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (5-1, 4.10).  ERA+ 111

Andy is 2-0 at home this year, but the ERA is 5.57. On the road, 3-1, 2.59.

Amazing, other blogs. Girardi has them in first and people are still ripping him. I have issues with the guy sometimes, but give credit where credit is due. Torre is in LA. Yes, LA is doing fine. Let it go.

I wonder if the same people who bitched about no Swisher, why Gardner are saying no Melky, why Gardner today? Meanwhile all the Yanks have done is win 16 of their last 20.

I swear, some people on some blogs.

Rain could be an issue tonight.

Randy Johnson goes for #300 tonight.

Update: Pete Abe is reporting that Wang is starting tomorrow. CC on Friday. Hughes to bullpen for now (temporary (italics mine) bullpen fix).

With Hughes (for now) and Aceves, there is a little flexibility in the bullpen now. We’ll see how it works out.

More later.

Update: New lineup. Apparently Teix bruised an ankle on the takeout slide last night. He’s day to day. Interesting lineup (if they play…rain). Swisher’s patience and walks at #2, Damon drops to 3.

New lineup
Jeter SS
Swisher 1B
Damon LF
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cabrera RF .314-5-20-4/6-117
Gardner CF

I heard conflicting reports on the original lineup, of whether Melky or Gardner was in CF. Whatever. Both are in now.

Apparently it was supposed to be Melky.

Andy starts badly, giving up 3 in the first and another in the 2nd. A-Rod singled in a run in the 1st scoring Swisher who had doubled. Pettitte had trouble in the third but K’d the side after putting the first two guys on.

I wonder if Pettitte’s back is ok after the trouble down in Texas last week. Maybe it’s bothering him.

If you haven’t heard, the Rangers are looking to dump Padilla. Meanwhile the Braves have released 305 game winner Tom Glavine and made a trade with the Pirates to acquire Nate McLouth.

Bases loaded, one out in the third. A-Rod up. Great shot to do something here. Nope. GIDP.  

It stays 4-1 into the 7th. Posada hits his 8th hr. #229 ties Eric Chavez on the all-time list. 4-2 Texas.    

That’s all she wrote though. Andy went 5, took the loss. Tomko (3) and Robertson (1) held it at 4-2 but the bats weren’t there.

   

Yanks to mine the ‘Burgh for more?

Interesting article by King, George A. III. I’m sure if he sees this, that reader Jeff from the ‘Burgh will chime in. McLouth? Preliminary to say the least, and it would cost plenty (not $$, but players/talent/prospects) for the soon-to-be 27 year old 20 HR/20 SB lefty swinging OF.

King also mentions Mike Cameron in his article. That, I am NOT in favor of. A-Rod, Cameron’s former teammate, might push it. But Cameron would be 36 next season. That certainly wouldn’t help a team trying to get younger. His D has been great (3 Gold Gloves), but will certainly diminish with age. A .250 career hitter who has hit .242 and .243 the past two seasons. Seven seasons in his career with 140 or more strikeouts, including this year when he missed a good portion of the season due to a stimulants suspension. (.243-25-70-17, OPS+ 109). Yes, good D. 20/20 capability. But expensive, aging, too many K’s (as Josh would point out, he doesn’t fit the “hitters, not sluggers” philosophy he espouses). Besides, why would you dump Abreu only to get Cameron, who is a year older, strikes out more, and hits 45 to 50 points less? It’d make no sense.  

Hmmm….it ain’t over ’til it’s over, but something seems like it’s alive and well.

Lastly, for now, a quote from John McGraw. Lately (and beforehand, such as the Toronto incident) we’ve seen pictures of the newly available A-Rod with various women, and, of course, there are the Madonna rumors . Now I love the ladies too, but being much poorer than Alex or Jeter can only dream of the lovelies they spend money on and time with. Anyway, McGraw—one of the best, toughest, take-no-crap dictatorial managers ever (my type of guy), had this to say. Words to the wise.

“Remember this, son. One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women.”