Thanks to everyone who wrote in about the “fourth out”. At least one of you said something to the effect of, “Really, you didn’t know that?” Guilty as charged. I never remember hearing about it. Now that I’ve got the full scoop, I can say with no uncertainty that I think it’s darned silly.
We’re also getting quite a bit of email about Leone’s throwing problems since he’s been called up. I for one didn’t see this coming; even when he wasn’t hitting in the minors, he always played solid defense. I saw him at San Antonio last season for three games and if anything, I was more impressed with his defense than his offense. I think he’ll be fine in the long run, though his future certainly isn’t at SS (not that anyone believes it is anyway).
Finally, I was looking over a few things I decided the M’s should be able to put together a solid and quite inexpensive bullpen next season, even if they don’t trade Eddie Guardado. Lefties: Bobby Madritsch and George Sherrill. Righties: Rafael Soriano and Julio Mateo. Long man: JJ Putz. Closer: Eddie Guardado. Even with Guardado making a decent chunk of money, the other guys will make just a bit more than $1.5M combined. This also assumes they’re able to deal Hasegawa, but again, he doesn’t make all that much. The total price goes down, obviously, if Guardado is dealt in the next two weeks or next winter.
Boone! Here comes the Boone!
Ready or not —
here comes ball not caught
Ron is talking on the TV broadcast right now about situations in which you have to “get the fourth out.” I personally have never heard of such a thing, and have no idea if he’s correct or not. That said, if he is correct, that’s about the stupidest baseball rule I’ve ever heard. Runners cannot score when the third out comes via a force out, even if they cross the plate before said third out is recorded.
Anyone want to chime in on this one? Ron sounds like he’s full of crap, but you never know.
Just wanted to point out that Scott Podsednik, the guy everyone was drooling over earlier this year (and last) as “the one who got away,” is hitting a pedestrian .254/.325/.401 so far this year. Yes, he’s being out-hit by Randy Winn.
See, I told you it would be San Diego or San Fran. 🙂
It’s not everywhere yet, but Aurilia went to the Padres for a PTBNL or cash. Now, I still think it’s crap move in that they’re saving a lot of money they’ll pocket and the team won’t get better. Buuuuuuut hey, if it means Bloomquist sinks or swims, and more playing time all around, that’s okay by me.
Generally how this works is the Padres and Mariners come to some agreement listing players that might be traded. After the season, they get back together and dicker about how much Aurilia helped the Padres, and either agree to send one of the listed players or, if they can’t agree, the M’s get the cash. That the M’s might get cash for Aurilia, given his total collapse this year, is pretty cool in itself.
I’m back from Portland, where I got via biking for many hours on Saturday (206 miles, one day, 0wn3d). I’m a little out of things, but I agree with Jason — it was weird for me to get the paper and eagerly turn to the sports section to read box scores to see how Leone/Jacobsen/etc did the night before.
Rumor Mill: Look for Rich Aurilia to wind up in either San Fran, Boston or Chicago (Cubs) once he’s free to go where he pleases. I know those teams probably aren’t shockers, particularly the Cubs and Giants.
Update: I mis-heard about the Cubs. The third team is San Diego. Smart money is on the Giants or Padres — NL clubs on the West Coast.
Fun game to watch tonight. I wonder how many times in his career Scott Spiezio has pinch-run? Bucky Jacobsen is well on his way to becoming a fan favorite. Personally, I think he’s got a bit of Jay Buhner in him. Really nice to see him take three walks in his first two games. Justin “other new guy” Leone was 0-3 tonight, but drew two walks (including one on a great plate appearance against David Riske in the 9th in which he fell behind 0-2). Oh, and Miguel Olivo hit a triple to left — that’s right, a catcher hit a triple to left — for his first hit with the M’s. I know it’s way too early, but somehow I’m feeling much better about the 2005 M’s than I was a month ago.
Trade Randy Winn while he’s still hot!
Thanks to everyone who clarified Dave’s comment; seven Mariners have homered in their first AB as Mariners, but not in their major league debut. Once you know what he meant, his comment makes sense.
Also, via Paul Covert, this made me laugh: Justin Leone had more RBI’s last night than Willie Bloomquist had all year.