2-5
Dave · April 7, 2008 at 3:04 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Early trade results: Baltimore acquired three saves, a couple of base hits, and some good outfield defense in exchange for a bad hip. Advantage, Orioles.
Seriously, though, it’s another one run loss. Yes, Eric O’Flaherty had about as bad a first week in his new job as humanly possible, McLaren’s not inspiring confidence that he’s any better at this than he was last year, and the offense still looks horrible at times, but the team has been outscored by a whopping two runs in seven games. If you break an ankle jumping off the bandwagon now, it’s going to be harder to climb back on with a gimpy wheel when the breaks start going the M’s way.
I’m not sure that even the Mariners trade for recent performance per se; they have their own set of criteria that happen to be how they evaluate talent, and recent performance (as well as some other crazy factors) weighs into that.
But it’s a mistake to think that other teams in the league can’t recognize talent better than the Mariners, and the Rangers are definitely a smarter organization lately than the M’s. I’m sure they knew exactly what they had in Volquez, and wouldn’t have given him up for chump change.
The Orioles won again and have the best record in the MLB at 6-1. Maybe there is no shame in being swept by them.
Dave,
I agree with what you said about the trade value of Volquez (especially after I took the time to read Joey Matschulat’s analysis). I still believe, however, that many MLB teams would have doubts about a prospect when he gives up 111 hits in 80 MLB innings, with control issues (55 SO’s to 42 BB’s).
Anyway, I was deeply impressed with Hamilton in spring training. The guy is imposing on a TV screen, but when you see him up close, it is striking how big and fast he really is.
What do you think of Herrera?
The Orioles won again and have the best record in the MLB at 6-1. Maybe there is no shame in being swept by them.
My guess is that by September there will be plenty of shame to go around.